Image Source: Indiantelevision.com
The Supreme Court dismissed JioStar’s plea to halt a Competition Commission of India (CCI) investigation into alleged abuse of dominance in Kerala’s television broadcasting market. The probe, triggered by Asianet Digital Network’s complaint, will examine claims of discriminatory pricing and preferential treatment, reinforcing regulatory oversight.
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Key Highlights
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Supreme Court Decision: A bench led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta rejected JioStar’s appeal, stating the matter is at a preliminary stage and the regulator must be allowed to investigate.
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Background: JioStar challenged a Kerala High Court order (December 3, 2025) that permitted the CCI to proceed with its inquiry.
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Complaint Origin: The case stems from allegations by Asianet Digital Network Ltd (ADNPL), which accused JioStar of discriminatory pricing, excessive discounting, and preferential treatment to Kerala Communicators Cable Ltd (KCCL).
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Legal Context: ADNPL cited violations under Sections 4(2)(a)(i) and 4(2)(c) of the Competition Act, 2002, which prohibit abuse of dominant market position.
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JioStar’s Argument: The company argued its pricing practices were regulated under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI), questioning whether CCI had jurisdiction.
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Court’s Stand: The Supreme Court emphasized that the CCI’s probe is only investigative and does not prejudge guilt, giving the regulator eight weeks to complete its inquiry.
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Market Impact: JioStar, owned by Reliance Industries Ltd, commands significant influence in India’s streaming and TV distribution markets, with its platform JioHotstar holding a 25% share in subscription video-on-demand (Q2 2025).
This ruling underscores India’s judiciary’s commitment to fair competition and regulatory independence, ensuring dominant players face scrutiny when market practices raise concerns.
Sources: Economic Times, Business Standard, India Legal, LiveMint
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