Mr. Adikessavaperoumal Baskar Sinouvassane Vs. Karate India Organisation (Competition Commission of India)
The Competition Commission of India (CCI), in its order dated 1 October 2025, dismissed an information filed under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002, by Mr. Adikessavaperoumal Baskar Sinouvassane against Karate India Organisation (KIO). The case was closed under Section 26(2) of the Act, which empowers the CCI to dismiss a complaint at the preliminary stage when no prima facie case of competition law violation is made out.
The informant, a world-level Karate referee, alleged that KIO had engaged in multiple irregularities while claiming to represent Karate sport at the national level. KIO was incorporated on 13 March 2020 under the Companies Act, 2013, with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Delhi. It was stated to be engaged in regulating and developing Karate in India.
The informant alleged that KIO had obtained registration using the word “India” in its name without securing the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Government, thereby violating Section 4(3) of the Companies Act. Further, the informant claimed that KIO’s activities violated a Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports order dated 16 October 2018, which prohibits unrecognised sports bodies from using the words “India” or “Indian” in their names or from conducting national championships.
According to the informant, KIO falsely represented itself before the World Karate Federation (WKF) as the official governing body of Karate in India and obtained affiliation based on this misrepresentation. It allegedly conducted national championships, selected Indian teams, and collected money from athletes, despite lacking recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The informant argued that as a professional referee, he was denied the opportunity to work with a legitimate, government-recognised federation because of KIO’s unauthorised activities. He further alleged that KIO amended its Memorandum of Association (MoA) on 17 August 2020 and again on 13 March 2022 to claim authority over Karate regulation and development in India, despite not being recognised by the Ministry.
The reliefs sought by the informant included directions to the ROC to remove the word “India” from KIO’s name or cancel its registration, annulment of the amended MoA, a ban on conducting national championships, and an investigation into the organisation’s financial activities. The informant also sought penalties against KIO’s directors under Section 447 of the Companies Act for alleged fraud.
After reviewing the complaint and supporting documents, the CCI observed that the issues raised pertained to alleged violations of the Companies Act, 2013, and government orders issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and did not involve any anti-competitive conduct under the Competition Act, 2002. The Commission held that the grievances were outside its jurisdiction and better suited for consideration by the concerned administrative or regulatory authorities.
Accordingly, the CCI found no prima facie case of contravention of the Competition Act and dismissed the case under Section 26(2). The Secretary was directed to communicate the decision to the informant.
FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA
