In this Roundup, we highlight the main developments in Indian competition law in March 2020. The month has, of course, been dominated by the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, which has impacted the functioning of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and the Courts. Before this took hold, the month saw an upsurge of activity at the
NCLAT, which issued a number of significant judgments largely upholding CCI orders finding breach of the Competition Act, 2002 (Competition Act). In the merger control area, the CCI made important changes to its guidance in completing Form I.

The Impact of Covid-19

On 17 March, the CCI decided to adjourn all but urgent matters listed for hearing until 31 March
2020. A week later, on 23 March, it suspended: (a) all filings in relation to Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act (anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position); (b) all notifications in relation to combinations (merger control);(c) all other filings, submissions and proceedings under the Competition Act and associated regulations; and (d) pre-filing consultations (merger control).

Download PDF