Case Law Details
In Re: Cartelisation amongst HP India and its resellers in the sale and supply of Supplies Products in India
The content is a press release. The Competition Commission of India (CCI), by an order dated 13.07.2026 issued under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002, imposed a penalty of INR 11.98 crore on HP India and a combined penalty of approximately INR 2.30 crore on sixteen of its resellers for indulging in cartelisation in the sale and supply of supplies products comprising toner, cartridges and other consumables used with print hardware products. The Commission also directed HP India and the resellers to cease and desist from anti-competitive conduct found to be in violation of Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act. The proceedings arose from a lesser penalty application filed by HP India under Section 46 read with Section 19(1)(a) of the Act. Based on the evidence on record, the Commission found the sixteen Tier-2 resellers to have sought and submitted support/cover bids in contravention of Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1). It also found HP India to have played a central role in the cartel arrangement and held officials of HP India and its resellers liable under Section 48, imposing monetary penalties on them. The order was passed in Suo Moto Case No. 08 of 2020.
Competition Commission of India
CCI imposes penalty on HP India and its certain resellers for indulging in anti-competitive practices in supply of Supplies products
Posted On: 13 JUL 2026
The Competition commission of India (CCI) has imposed penalty on HP India and its certain resellers for indulging in anti-competitive practices in supply of Supplies products.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI), vide an order dated 13.07.2026 issued under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002, (the Act) has imposed a penalty of INR 11.98 crores on HP India and a combined penalty of INR 2.30 crores approximately, on its sixteen resellers for indulging in cartelisation in sale and supply of supplies products comprising of toner, cartridges and other consumable used with print hardware products.
The Commission also directed HP India and its resellers to cease and desist from anti-competitive conduct found to be in violation of Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act.
The proceedings arose from the lesser penalty application filed by HP India under Section 46 of the Act 19(1)(a) of the Act, alleging cartelisation among HP India and its resellers. Based on the evidence on record, the Commission found sixteen Tier-2 resellers of HP India viz.
DD Enterprises, Ascent Information, Kaypee Enterprises, Britex Enterprises, Alankar Distributors, Vijay Stationery Mart, G R Enterprises, Perfect Innovative, Khandelwal Traders, A Square Technologies, Innovative Solutions, Pioneer Technologies, Delphi Infosolutions, Shakti Marketing, International Computer Resources and Arms Peripherals to have indulged in seeking and submitting support/cover bids in contravention of Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act.
The Commission also found HP India to have played central role in the cartel arrangement among these resellers in contravention of Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act. The CCI also found the officials of HP India and its resellers liable under Section 48 of the Act and imposed monetary penalty upon them.
