The Supreme Court on Tuesday 27 January refused to put a stop to an investigation launched by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against television broadcaster JioStar, which faces allegations of misusing its market strength in Kerala’s cable television sector.
A Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Sandeep Mehta made it clear that the Court would not interfere when the inquiry is still at an early stage.
Background of the Case
The dispute traces back to a complaint filed by Asianet Digital Network Private Limited (ADNPL), a digital television service provider operating in Kerala. ADNPL alleged that JioStar, a major broadcaster with exclusive rights to popular content, adopted unfair pricing methods that harmed competition.
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According to ADNPL, JioStar granted substantial and selective discounts to Kerala Communicators Cable Limited (KCCL), a competing multi-system operator. These pricing benefits, it was claimed, resulted in ADNPL losing a significant portion of its subscriber base within a short period.
The complaint further alleged that discounts beyond permissible limits were masked as promotional and advertising payments, allowing JioStar to bypass restrictions set under the telecom regulatory framework.
CCI’s Intervention
After reviewing the complaint, the CCI formed a preliminary opinion in February 2022 that the allegations warranted a detailed examination. It subsequently directed its Director General to conduct an investigation under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002.
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JioStar challenged this direction before the Kerala High Court, arguing that issues relating to pricing and discounts fall under the authority of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and not the competition watchdog.
A single judge of the Kerala High Court rejected JioStar’s plea, holding that claims of abuse of dominance raise competition law concerns. This view was later upheld by a Division Bench, which confirmed that the CCI was competent to examine the allegations.
Supreme Court Observations
Unhappy with the High Court’s ruling, JioStar approached the Supreme Court. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the broadcaster, contended that sector-specific regulations already govern the field.
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The Bench, however, declined to intervene. Justice Pardiwala observed,
“At this stage, it requires examination,” indicating that the Court would not block the probe before facts are fully assessed.
Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed JioStar’s petition, allowing the CCI’s investigation into the alleged anti-competitive conduct to proceed.
Case Title: JioStar India Private Limited v. Competition Commission of India & Others
Case Number: SLP (Civil) No. 2867 of 2026
Date of Order: January 27, 2026
