Competition Commission has rejected allegations of unfair business practices made against sanitary ware and bathroom fittings maker Jaquar & Company as well as some of its dealers in Jaipur.
Finding no "prima-facie" evidence of competition norms being violated, the Commission decided to reject the complaint.
It was alleged by one Mukesh Brothers that after refusing to pay illegal gratification to a Jaquar official, the latter had instructed its 12 dealers to discontinue supply of sanitary ware and bathroom fittings to the complainant.
According to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), since there are so many other brands available in the market, it can be inferred that consumers' choices have not been restricted by the alleged anti-competitive ways of Jaquar and its dealers.
"...There are many players in the relevant market such as HSIL, Cera Sanitary ware, Roca Bathroom Products, etc, therefore it is clear that the relevant market is highly fragmented and the consumers have wide variety of options," CCI said in its order dated August 20.
Besides, the regulator said that with the presence of so many players in the relevant market, Jaquar does not appear to be in a dominant position.
For this case, CCI considered 'market for branded sanitary ware and bathroom fitting in India' as the relevant one.
