New Delhi, September 15, 2025 – The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has directed its investigative arm, the Director General (DG), to open a formal investigation after finding a prima facie case of possible contravention of the competition rules.
According to the order, the commission said it had formed an initial opinion that provisions of the Act may have been violated, and ordered the DG to examine the matter. The investigation has been initiated under Section 19 (1) (a), indicating a third-party complaint triggered the probe.
The nature of the alleged anticompetitive conduct or the parties involved has not yet been disclosed, in line with CCI’s practice. The investigation concerns potential violations of anticompetitive agreements or abuse of dominant position.
Reportedly, steel pipe makers Maharashtra Seamless and Jindal Saw are being investigated by the CCI for alleged bid-rigging conduct, a local publication said, citing sources. The authority conducted dawn raids in the matter following a complaint from the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, it added.
CCI did not respond to a request for comment.
Generally, the authority, after assessing the evidence, directs the DG to conduct further investigation under Section 26(1) of the Act. The DG then has to complete the investigation and submit the investigation report within a period of 60 days.
Last month, the authority ordered a detailed investigation into state-owned Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCFL) after finding prima facie evidence that RCFL’s conduct may have violated multiple provisions of the Competition Act.
Source: https://www.cci.gov.in/antitrust/orders/details/1203/0
