Competition / Antitrust

India’s competition authority – the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has dismissed two cases of similar nature involving allegations of collusive bidding by several manufacturers of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders. In 2009 and 2010, LPG cylinder manufacturers had quoted identical or near identical prices in two tenders floated by the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for supply of 14.2 kg LPG cylinders  which had prompted the CCI to direct an investigation.

Cartels are one of the most pernicious offences and deserve serious penalties for deterrence, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has said in several decisions.

India’s appeal tribunal for competition matters - the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) - has dismissed an appeal filed by a natural person - Pankaj Raj (Informant) - against an order of the Competition Commission of India (CCI).  (Maj. Pankaj Rai v Secretary, Competition Commission of India & Ors. (Competition Appeal (AT) No. 01 of 2020), decided on 29 May 2020.).

On 5 June 2020, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in disposing of Suo Motu Case No 05 of 2017 concluded that National Engineering Industries Limited (NEI), Schaeffler India Limited (Schaeffler), SKF India Limited (SKF) and Tata Steel Limited, Bearing Division (Tata) had  contravened provisions of Section 3(3)(a) read with Section 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 (Competition Act).