Competition Law

The CCI closed its inquiry into Google's selective Real Money Gaming pilot, holding that the Online Gaming Act, 2025's blanket prohibition on RMGs renders the case infructuous since no effective relief can be granted. This disposes of WinZo's allegation that Google abused its dominance by limiting the Play Store pilot to only fantasy sports and rummy.

The CCI found the Trustees’ Association of India and four debenture-trustee firms colluded to fix trusteeship fees for NCDs, breaching Section 3 of the Competition Act. It ordered a cease-and-desist and penalties, warning that fee-setting in the debt-securities market is subject to competition law. NCD issuers and investors are directly affected.

The Competition Commission of India closed Case No. 30 of 2025 after finding no prima facie violation of Sections 3(4) or 4 of the Competition Act in Jindal Stainless' nickel supply arrangements. The ruling clarifies standards for exclusive dealing and market foreclosure under the Act, impacting cross-border supply chain disputes.

The Competition Commission of India closed Case No. 27 of 2025 after finding no contravention of Sections 3 or 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 in DIAL's award of security contracts to RAXA. The ruling clarifies that related-party transactions must still meet arms-length standards to avoid dominance abuse allegations.

CCI holds that collusion between HP India and its resellers in Government e-Marketplace (GeM) tenders amounts to a horizontal agreement under Section 3(3) of the Competition Act, imposing penalties for cartelization. The ruling clarifies that OEM-reseller arrangements can violate competition law if they eliminate price competition, impacting public procurement integrity.

CCI clarifies that vertical agreements under Section 3(4) of the Competition Act require proof of dominance to establish anti-competitive practices. Dealers cannot challenge unilateral termination unless market power is demonstrated, reinforcing the threshold for abuse of dominance claims under Section 4. The ruling impacts automotive dealerships and vertical business relationships across sectors.

CCI holds that higher pricing of medical services and products, without evidence of anti-competitive conduct or market power abuse, does not violate Section 4 of the Competition Act. The ruling clarifies that excessive pricing complaints require proof of dominance and exploitative practices, not just price disparity.

NCLAT quashes CCI's penalty order for violating principles of natural justice by imposing Rs. 301.61 crore penalty without notifying the appellant of its intent to differ from the Director General's report. The ruling reinforces that regulatory bodies must afford parties a fair hearing before departing from investigative findings, impacting all competition law proceedings.

CCI clarifies that limiting Core Banking Solution upgrades to Infosys-authorized partners does not violate Sections 3 or 4 of the Competition Act, reinforcing that procurement restrictions tied to technical compatibility do not constitute anti-competitive conduct. The ruling sets a precedent for digital infrastructure procurement disputes involving statutory monopolies and OEM dependencies.

The Competition Commission of India found that the solar power bidding process did not constitute abuse of dominance because the tender design permitted open participation, the relevant market was properly defined to exclude non-solar energy sources, and no anti-competitive conduct was demonstrated by Adani or SECI. This sets a critical precedent for renewable energy procurement, affirming that market structure and transparent bidding protocols can preclude dominance concerns even with major players.

CCI dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, ruling that price variations driven by currency exchange rates and order volume do not constitute anti-competitive conduct. The decision clarifies that market-driven pricing adjustments, even by a sole supplier, are permissible unless proven predatory or exclusionary.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) held 17 electrical contractors guilty of bid rigging in Assam Police tenders, relying on coordinated bidding patterns, shared IP addresses, and sequentially numbered demand drafts as conclusive evidence of collusion. The ruling reinforces that such circumstantial evidence can establish a Section 3(3)(d) violation without direct proof of agreement, imposing cease-and-desist orders on all parties.

CCI finds VH Group's exclusive supply agreements for broiler and layer parent stock prima facie violative of Section 3(4) of the Competition Act, 2002, ordering a DG investigation. The ruling signals heightened scrutiny of vertical restraints in poultry breeding, impacting integrated agribusiness players with similar distribution models.

CCI ruled that mere parallel bidding or market dominance does not establish a prima facie cartel under Section 3(3)(d) without concrete evidence of collusion between bidders. The decision clarifies that public procurement allegations require proof of concerted action, not just suspicion of unfair pricing.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed allegations of abuse of dominance against Rapido, ruling that unlicensed bike-taxi operations are governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, not the Competition Act. The decision clarifies that regulatory non-compliance does not automatically establish anti-competitive conduct, impacting app-based transport platforms and regulatory enforcement.