The Indian Competition Authority fines paper manufacturers for using a trade association to collude and increase prices (Paper Cartel)

KEY POINTS Mere attendance in meetings where commercially sensitive information such as pricing is discussed, influences and takes away the independent decision making ability of the competitors. They can no longer independently decide the price related policies in the market and therefore, attendings such meetings can be taken as an evidence of cartelisation. BRIEF FACTS The present case was a suo moto investigation triggered by the DG’s communication to the CCI regarding the material gathered during an ongoing investigation. Having perused the material, the