P. Nikilesh Surya Vs Competition Commission of India (Madras High Court)
The writ petition was filed before the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Competition Commission of India to consider and decide an impleadment application filed by the petitioner in proceedings relating to Case No. 42 of 2023. The underlying proceedings arose from an information filed by the Film and Television Producers Guild of India, pursuant to which the Commission passed an order dated 30.09.2025 under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002, directing the Director General to investigate PVR INOX Limited for alleged abuse of dominance.
The petitioner stated that he is a partner in Rohini Movie Park, Chennai, which operates four theatres comprising single-screen theatres and small multiplexes. These theatres rely on the Virtual Print Fee charged by exhibitors from producers to compensate for investments made in leasing Digital Cinema Equipment. According to the petitioner, the investigation initiated by the Competition Commission could directly affect theatre operators like him who are engaged in the same line of business.
On this basis, the petitioner filed impleadment applications dated 18.11.2025 and 21.11.2025 under Regulation 26 of the Competition Commission of India (General Regulations), 2024, seeking to be impleaded in the ongoing proceedings and to be granted an opportunity of hearing. As no decision had been taken on these applications, the petitioner approached the High Court seeking a direction to the Commission to consider and decide the same.
