I filed information with CCI against a company for abuse of dominance. How can RTI help me track what happened?

Under the Competition Act, 2002, when you file information (a complaint) with CCI, it goes through a screening stage: CCI examines it and decides under Section 26(1) whether to direct the Director General (DG) for investigation, or closes it under Section 26(2) if it finds no prima facie case. If you have not received any communication from CCI, RTI can confirm: (1) whether your information was received and registered with a case number; (2) whether a prima facie order has been passed under Section 26(1) or Section 26(2); (3) if directed to the DG, the current stage of the investigation. CCI orders under Section 26 are public documents. Note: DG investigation reports are treated as confidential during the investigation phase and may be withheld under Section 8(1)(h) until the case is finally decided.

Can RTI give me details of CCI's cartel investigation against a company in my industry?

For concluded cases, yes. CCI orders passed under Section 27 (finding anti-competitive agreement/cartel) and Section 28 (structural remedies) are public documents published on CCI's website and fully disclosable through RTI. RTI can also confirm whether CCI has investigated a specific market or industry sector and the outcomes. For ongoing investigations, details of the DG's inquiry — witness statements, documents collected, investigation reports — are typically withheld under Section 8(1)(h) (prejudicial to prosecution or investigation) and Section 8(1)(j) (personal information). Once a final order is passed, the complete decision becomes public. For recent cases, check CCI's public case database at cci.gov.in before filing RTI — most concluded orders are already published there.

A company is forcing me (a dealer/distributor) to maintain a minimum resale price. Is this a CCI matter and can RTI help me understand my rights?

Yes. Resale price maintenance (RPM) — where a manufacturer or supplier compels a dealer to sell at a minimum price — is an anti-competitive vertical agreement under Section 3(4) of the Competition Act, 2002, and can be investigated by CCI. RTI to CCI can help you: (1) confirm the exact provision of Section 3 of the Competition Act applicable to RPM and the standard CCI applies to find it anti-competitive; (2) whether CCI has previously investigated or passed orders in similar RPM cases — search CCI's published orders for precedent; (3) whether any investigation is already underway against the same company or industry. This regulatory clarity is essential before you file information with CCI, since a well-cited complaint citing specific sections and CCI precedent is more likely to pass the prima facie threshold under Section 26(1).

What is the difference between filing information directly with CCI versus RTI to CCI?

Filing information (a complaint) with CCI under Section 19(1) of the Competition Act is how you initiate a competition law case — CCI then decides whether to investigate. This process is free (no fee for filing information with CCI) and has its own prescribed format. RTI to CCI is separate — it is a request for information held by CCI as a public authority, filed under the RTI Act 2005 with a ₹10 fee. You might use both together: file information with CCI to trigger an investigation, and simultaneously file RTI to confirm CCI received your complaint, track its status, and obtain the regulatory provisions that support your case. RTI is a status-tracking and information-gathering tool; the Section 19(1) filing is the substantive competition law action.

What if CCI does not respond to my RTI within 30 days?

File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) at CCI within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC) under Section 19(3) within 90 days. CCI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs — second appeal goes to the CIC.

Home/Guides/How to File RTI with CCI for Competition Law Complaints, Cartel Investigation and Enforcement Orders

Central Government

How to File RTI with CCI for Competition Law Complaints, Cartel Investigation and Enforcement Orders

Step-by-step guide to file an RTI with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for the status of an information/complaint filed under the Competition Act 2002, CCI investigation orders, penalty orders against enterprises, and the regulatory framework applicable to anti-competitive conduct. Includes a ready-to-use sample RTI draft.

Updated 24 May 2026

Quick Facts

MinistryMinistry of Corporate Affairs

Address RTI ToCPIO, Competition Commission of India, New Delhi

Application Fee₹10 under RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. Free for BPL cardholders.

Response Time30 days from receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act 2005). 48 hours if the matter involves life or liberty.

File Online Athttps://rtionline.gov.in

All information on this page is based on the Right to Information Act, 2005 (Act No. 22 of 2005) and the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. First Appeal: Section 19(1). Second Appeal to CIC/SIC: Section 19(3).

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body established under the Competition Act, 2002, under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. CCI regulates anti-competitive agreements (cartels, bid rigging, resale price maintenance), abuse of dominant position, and combinations (mergers and acquisitions) that adversely affect competition in India. CCI is a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005.

RTI to CCI is most useful for tracking the status of a complaint already filed with CCI, obtaining CCI's enforcement orders against specific companies or industries, and establishing the regulatory framework before initiating a competition law action.

How CCI Processes a Complaint

Under the Competition Act, 2002:

Information filed under Section 19(1)
        ↓
CCI examines prima facie case
        ↓
Section 26(1): Prima facie case found → CCI directs DG to investigate
        or
Section 26(2): No prima facie case → CCI closes the matter
        ↓
DG submits investigation report
        ↓
CCI passes final order under Section 27 (penalty / cease and desist)
        or Section 28 (structural remedy / divestiture)

RTI can track where a filed complaint is at each stage — and can obtain the text of orders once passed.

What CCI Can and Cannot Provide Through RTI

CCI CAN provide through RTI:

Status of filed information — whether it has been registered, and whether a Section 26(1) or 26(2) order has been passed
Copies of CCI orders — Section 26(1), 26(2), 27, 28, and 31 orders are public documents
Enforcement history against a specific enterprise or in a specific market
Competition Act provisions and CCI Regulations applicable to specific types of conduct
Penalty amounts and directions in concluded cases

CCI MAY WITHHOLD:

DG investigation reports and working documents during active investigations — Section 8(1)(h)
Third-party confidential business information submitted during proceedings — Section 8(1)(d)
Information that would identify confidential informants — Section 8(1)(j)

For concluded cases, check cci.gov.in first — CCI publishes all final orders on its website. RTI is most valuable for active/pending cases where the online record is incomplete.

Key Provisions of the Competition Act, 2002

Conduct	Relevant Section
Anti-competitive agreements (cartels, bid rigging, RPM)	Section 3
Abuse of dominant position (predatory pricing, refusal to deal)	Section 4
Investigation power	Section 26 (prima facie) → DG
Final order — penalty, cease and desist	Section 27
Combination (merger) regulation	Sections 5–6, 31
Penalty — up to 10% of average turnover for 3 years	Section 27(b)

Where to File

CCI's office is in New Delhi. File on rtionline.gov.in:

Select Ministry of Corporate Affairs → Competition Commission of India (CCI)
Include your CCI case number or information reference number, and the name of the opposite party
Pay ₹10 online. BPL cardholders are exempt
Submit and note your registration number

What Specific Information Can You Ask For?

Complaint / case status:

Status of information / Case No. XXX filed on Date against Enterprise Name — whether a prima facie order has been passed under Section 26(1) or 26(2), and the date
If directed to DG under Section 26(1) — current stage of investigation
Copy of the Section 26(1) or 26(2) order for Case No. XXX

Enforcement history: 4. Any final order (Section 27 or 28) passed against Enterprise Name in the last five years — case number, date, contravention found, and penalty imposed 5. Whether CCI has investigated relevant market / industry sector in the last five years and the outcomes

Regulatory framework: 6. Applicable provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 for the conduct complained of — resale price maintenance / predatory pricing / bid rigging / refusal to deal 7. CCI's market definition for relevant product/service market in any prior order involving industry sector

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): File with the FAA at CCI within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable.

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): File with the Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days. CCI is a Central Government statutory body — second appeal is CIC, not any State Information Commission.

Sample RTI Application Draft

To,
The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO),
Competition Commission of India,
Hindustan Times House, 18-20, Kasturba Gandhi Marg,
New Delhi – 110001

Subject: Application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 — Status of Competition Complaint / CCI Enforcement Order

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your Full Name / or "authorised representative of [Company/Organisation Name]"], residing at / registered at [Address], submit this application under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005, to seek the following information:

Complaint / case details (as applicable):
  CCI Case Number / Information Reference Number: [Case No. / Reference No., if available]
  Name of Opposite Party / Enterprise: [Name of the company/enterprise against whom information was filed]
  Nature of Complaint: [e.g., abuse of dominant position / cartel / anti-competitive agreement / combination]
  Date of Filing: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Information sought:

1. The current status of the information / complaint bearing Reference No. [XXX] / Case No. [XXX] filed on [DD/MM/YYYY] against [Opposite Party Name] — specifically:
   (a) Whether the information has been taken up under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 and directed to the Director General (DG) for investigation;
   (b) If directed for investigation — the current stage of the DG's investigation;
   (c) If not directed — the reason for closure under Section 26(2) and the date of the order.

2. A copy of the CCI order passed under Section 26(1) or Section 26(2) of the Competition Act, 2002 in Case No. [XXX] (if any order has been passed).

3. Whether the CCI has passed any final order under Section 27 (anti-competitive agreement / abuse of dominance) or Section 31 (combination regulation) against [Opposite Party Name] in the last three years — if yes, the case number, date, nature of contravention found, and penalty imposed.

4. Whether CCI has previously investigated [Opposite Party Name / the relevant market / the relevant industry sector] for similar anti-competitive conduct — if yes, the case number(s) and outcome.

5. A copy of the provision of the Competition Act, 2002 and/or CCI Regulations applicable to [the conduct complained of — e.g., refusal to deal / resale price maintenance / predatory pricing / bid rigging].

I am enclosing the application fee of Rs. 10 [via online payment; Reference No.: [Payment Ref]].

I request the above information within 30 days as required under Section 7(1) of the RTI Act, 2005.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name]
[Your Complete Address]
Phone: [Your 10-digit Mobile Number]
Email: [[email protected]]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Replace all text in [square brackets] with your actual details before filing. Do not include the brackets in your submission.

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