CCI Not To Take Precipitative Action Against Star India

Until September 23, when the writ petition will be heard, CCI has stated that it will refrain from taking any precipitative action against Star Indian and its affiliate broadcasting businesses. In a writ suit submitted on Monday to the Kerala High Court, Star India and its affiliated broadcasting businesses (Petitioners) contested the findings of the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) probe and the summonses that followed.

The Bombay High Court initially received the petitioners' writ petitions, and in response, the High Court issued an order granting interim protection on April 6, 2022. However, the Bombay High Court dismissed the Writ Petition, allowing the petitioner to pursue the proper forum with geographical jurisdiction, in its decision on September 16, 2022. The interim protection given to Star India and its affiliates was further extended by the Bombay High Court for an additional 10 days.

To contest the CCI's order directing the inquiry and the summons dated 5.9.2022, Star India, Disney, and Asianet Star submitted new Writ Petitions to the Kerala High Court. The petitions were indicated for urgent listing this morning, and as a result, they were listed at 2:00 PM.

Venkataraman, Ld. Additional Solicitor General, appeared for CCI when the issues were called at 2 PM and urged that the matters be listed on Friday (September 23, 22). The Ld. ASG pledged to the court at the hearing that CCI would not use coercion until Friday.

Based on the aforementioned commitment, the matter is now scheduled for September 23, 2022.