‘Your blood will spill’: Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe recalls first-ever threat he received in 2007
BT India @ 100: At Business Today's India @ 100 event, Mundhe spoke about the difficult moments that shaped his 21-year career as a civil servant.
- Aug 22, 2026,
- Updated Aug 22, 2026 8:00 AM IST
BT India @ 100: Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has built a reputation for taking a direct approach to public service, even when his decisions have invited resistance. In a conversation with India Today's Preeti Choudhry at Business Today's India @ 100 event, the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner spoke about the difficult moments that shaped his 21-year career as a civil servant.
He has faced 25 transfers during his tenure and acknowledged that the job comes with personal and professional challenges. Looking back at the early years of his career, Mundhe recalled how his actions in the field brought him face-to-face with threats.
‘Your blood will spill’: Mundhe recalls 2007 threat
Mundhe said the first threat came in 2007, when he was in the early years of his career. During his probation in Solapur, he was given responsibilities as a chief officer of a municipality and as a BDO.
He said things turned ugly during that period and he faced multiple challenges, including a breach of privilege motion and attempts to file FIRs against him.
Mundhe particularly recalled his posting as an assistant collector in Deglur, Nanded, where he had taken action against the sand mafia. The area was near the border with Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana, and the Godavari River was a factor in the sand-related activity.
Must Read: Will Tukaram Mundhe enter politics? Here's what the Maharashtra FDA commissioner said
About a month or two into his tenure, Mundhe received a letter written in red ink.
Recounting the incident, he said, "I had received a letter, I think one a month, one, two months during my tenure, saying that, because at that point in time, though Naxalites had gone, but it was some part of that, Kinwat part, that area, so-called Naxalites earlier used to exist way back, before. Showcasing that we are Naxalites and don't indulge with us, uh, otherwise, this letter was read, uh, written in red ink and saying that, 'Otherwise your blood will spill on this, so back out of this.' Now, whether it was true or not, I don't know, but that letter was there."
A sand truck allegedly tried to ram his vehicle
Years later, in 2016, Mundhe faced another serious incident while serving as Solapur collector.
During a visit to a taluka, he spotted a truck carrying sand and chased it. His vehicle moved in front of the truck, while Mundhe instructed his driver to try to stop it but remain ready to race away because the truck could try to barge into them.
According to Mundhe, that is what the truck tried to do. His vehicle managed to move further, and they eventually stopped the truck before further action was taken.
Despite the incident, Mundhe continued with his schedule. He reached the taluka, took the meeting and carried on with his work.
India@2047: Blueprint for a Developed Nation
BT India @ 100: Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has built a reputation for taking a direct approach to public service, even when his decisions have invited resistance. In a conversation with India Today's Preeti Choudhry at Business Today's India @ 100 event, the Maharashtra FDA Commissioner spoke about the difficult moments that shaped his 21-year career as a civil servant.
He has faced 25 transfers during his tenure and acknowledged that the job comes with personal and professional challenges. Looking back at the early years of his career, Mundhe recalled how his actions in the field brought him face-to-face with threats.
‘Your blood will spill’: Mundhe recalls 2007 threat
Mundhe said the first threat came in 2007, when he was in the early years of his career. During his probation in Solapur, he was given responsibilities as a chief officer of a municipality and as a BDO.
He said things turned ugly during that period and he faced multiple challenges, including a breach of privilege motion and attempts to file FIRs against him.
Mundhe particularly recalled his posting as an assistant collector in Deglur, Nanded, where he had taken action against the sand mafia. The area was near the border with Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana, and the Godavari River was a factor in the sand-related activity.
Must Read: Will Tukaram Mundhe enter politics? Here's what the Maharashtra FDA commissioner said
About a month or two into his tenure, Mundhe received a letter written in red ink.
Recounting the incident, he said, "I had received a letter, I think one a month, one, two months during my tenure, saying that, because at that point in time, though Naxalites had gone, but it was some part of that, Kinwat part, that area, so-called Naxalites earlier used to exist way back, before. Showcasing that we are Naxalites and don't indulge with us, uh, otherwise, this letter was read, uh, written in red ink and saying that, 'Otherwise your blood will spill on this, so back out of this.' Now, whether it was true or not, I don't know, but that letter was there."
A sand truck allegedly tried to ram his vehicle
Years later, in 2016, Mundhe faced another serious incident while serving as Solapur collector.
During a visit to a taluka, he spotted a truck carrying sand and chased it. His vehicle moved in front of the truck, while Mundhe instructed his driver to try to stop it but remain ready to race away because the truck could try to barge into them.
According to Mundhe, that is what the truck tried to do. His vehicle managed to move further, and they eventually stopped the truck before further action was taken.
Despite the incident, Mundhe continued with his schedule. He reached the taluka, took the meeting and carried on with his work.
India@2047: Blueprint for a Developed Nation