Who Governs Market Power in India? The Significance of Jiostar v. CCI

Written by Qazi Ahmad Masood. INTRODUCTION The Kerala High Court’s decision in Jiostar India Pvt. Ltd. v. Competition Commission of India is a significant advancement in India’s competition law concerning regulated marketplaces. Beyond the details of pricing and marketing agreements, the verdict was driven by a challenge to the Competition Commission of India’s jurisdiction to investigate allegations of abuse of power in the broadcasting business. A key concern about sectoral regulation and competition law is whether regulatory monitoring can protect dominant businesses from competitive scrutiny. By refusing to subordinate competition law to sector-specific regulation, the Court affirms the autonomous purpose…