The Competition Act, 2002
26. Procedure for
inquiry on complaints under section 19.-
1.
On
receipt of a complaint or a reference from the Central Government or a State
Government or a statutory authority or on its own knowledge or there exists a
prima facie case, it shall direct the Director General to cause an
investigation to be made into the matter. Information, under section 19, if the
Commission s of the opinion that
2.
The
Director General shall, on receipt of direction under sub-section (1), submit a
report on his findings within such period as may be specified by the
Commission.
3.
Where
on receipt of a complaint under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 19,
the Commission is of the opinion that there exists no prima facie case, it
shall dismiss the complaint and may pass such orders as it deems fit, including
imposition o costs, if necessary.
4.
The
Commission shall forward a copy of the report referred to in sub-section (2) to
the parties concerned or to the Central Government or the State Government or
the statutory authority, as the case may be.
5.
If
the report of the Director General relates on a complaint and such report
recommends that there is no contravention of any of the provisions of this Act,
the complainant shall be given an opportunity to rebut the findings of the
Director General.
6.
If,
after hearing the complainant, the Commission agrees with the recommendation of
the Director General, it shall dismiss the complaint.
7.
If,
after hearing the complainant, the Commission is of the opinion that further
inquiry is called for, it shall direct the complainant to proceed with the complaint.
8.
If
the report of the Director General relates on a reference made under
sub-section (1) and such report recommends that there is no contravention of
the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall invite comments of the Central
Government or the State Government or the statutory authority, as the case may
be, on such report and on receipt of such comments, the Commission shall return
the reference if there is no prima facie case or proceed with the reference as
a complaint if there is a prima facie case.
9.
If
the report of the Director General referred to in sub-section (2) recommends
that there is contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, and the
Commission is of the opinion that further inquiry is called for, it shall
inquire into such contravention in accordance with the provisions of this Act.