CCI dismisses complaint against realty firm

Fair trade regulator CCI has rejected allegations that Ambika Trading & Construction indulged in anti-competitive practices with regard to sale of cottages in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
After finding that the entity is not a dominant player in the relevant market, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed the complaint.
For this case, the watchdog considered 'provision of services for development and sale of residential units in Nainital' as the relevant market.
It was alleged that the firm did not hand over possession of cottages even after receiving most of the sale amount and also did not execute the sale deed.
According to CCI, there are many other players operating and providing similar products to the consumers in the market concerned.

"... The Commission is of the view that the opposite party does not possess market power to act independently of competitive forces in the relevant market or to affect its competitors or consumers or the relevant market in its favour," the regulator said in an order this week.

"Thus, the opposite party is not found to be dominant in the relevant market."
In a separate case, CCI has rejected a complaint against one Raj Kumar, three central ministries and the Delhi government, among others, saying "there is no competition issue involved in the matter".
The complainant (one Bosco Joseph) had alleged that Raj Kumar tried to evict him from his rental shop in New Delhi. Besides, it was alleged that shops were purchased by Kumar in an illegal manner in collusion with various central ministries and NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Council), among others.

The complaint was also filed against the ministries of Law & Justice, Culture and Urban Development.
Noting that the matter is a property-related dispute, CCI rejected the allegations against the entities.
"... Allegations raised by the informant do not raise any competition concern and therefore, do not fall within the ambit of the (Competition) Act," the regulator said in an order this week.
CCI also said no specific allegation has been raised against the government bodies.