Quick Updates - June 2025

CCI launches investigation into alleged abuse of dominance by Asian Paints

CCI has directed its Director General to investigate allegations that Asian Paints abused its dominant position, with a report due within 90 days of the order’s receipt. This action follows a complaint by Grasim Industries (Aditya Birla Group), which claims Asian Paints offered dealers exclusive discounts and incentives—such as foreign travel—in exchange for sales exclusivity, raised targets for those handling competing Birla products, and coerced landlords and transporters to avoid Grasim’s offerings. If wrongdoing is confirmed, Asian Paints may either negotiate commitments to alter its practices to halt the probe or opt for a settlement by paying an amount set by the regulator.

CCI imposed Rs. 6 lakhs penalty on the Federation of Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Associations in India

CCI has found the Federation of Publishers’ and Booksellers’ Associations in India (FPBAI) and its office‐bearers in breach of Sections 3(3)(a), 3(3)(b) read with 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, for fixing inflated foreign‐exchange conversion rates (3% above RBI averages) that directly increased import prices, capping member discounts to libraries and institutions via outdated circulars, imposing non‐negotiable credit terms, interest rates and price‐verification procedures and for circulating advisories urging buyers to procure only from empanelled vendors, thereby foreclosing non‐members.

CCI Orders probe into quick commerce firms such as Zepto, Blinkit and Swiggy

The Competition Commission of India has, for the first time, opened a preliminary inquiry into alleged anti‑competitive practices by quick‑commerce platforms Bundl Technologies, Blink Commerce and Zepto Marketplace, following a complaint by the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF). The CCI has requested evidence of discriminatory pricing (by location, device or behavior), below‑cost sales, market‑share data for each FMCG player and any exclusive supply agreements. Based on these findings, the Director General may order a full investigation. AICPDF warns deep discounts and exclusivity threaten 10 million traditional retailers.

Turkish Competition Authority imposed USD 9 million fine on Google

The Turkish Competition Authority has fined Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, USD 9 million for persisting in abusive search practices despite an earlier ruling. The Authority had found Google misused its dominant position by preferring its own accommodation-price comparison services over local competitors in search results. Rather than remedying the conduct, Google rolled out changes that perpetuated the same bias. Consequently, the regulator imposed a penalty of 0.05% of Google’s 2024 gross daily revenue for each day of non‑compliance, culminating in the USD 9 million levy.