SC strengthens competition law, affirms tough penalties

It is imperative to closely examine the September 26 judgment authored by Justice Viswanathan, given its crucial implications for upholding fair competition,

In a ruling that underscores the strength of India’s competition law framework, the Supreme Court has upheld the power of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to impose both structural and behavioural penalties on violators, clarifying that such deterrent measures are intrinsic to the mandate of the Competition Act, 2002.

Tracing the legislative backdrop, the judgment noted that the Competition Act, 2002 replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act), which had become obsolete in the wake of global economic reforms and India’s liberalisation. (File)

A bench of justices Manoj Misra and KV Viswanathan restored penalties imposed by CCI on the Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation (KFEF) and two of its office-bearers, who were found guilty