What happened

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed monetary penalties for bid rigging connected to Himachal Pradesh Tender 2013 for tyre procurement. In an order dated 21.08.2026, CCI acted under Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002 (the Act) and penalised Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing for anti-competitive conduct. CCI imposed a penalty of INR 1,29,901 on Rekha Agencies.CCI imposed a penalty of INR 2,13,274 on SS Marketing. CCI also directed Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing to cease and desist from anti-competitive conduct found to violate Sections 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act. CCI held an official of Rekha Agencies liable under Section 48 of the Act and imposed a monetary penalty on that official. CCI did not impose a penalty on an official of SS Marketing because proceedings against that official were abated due to death.

Background and earlier position

CCI issued the order in Reference Case No. 01 of 2019. The facts in the reference concern bid submission for Himachal Pradesh Tender 2013 for tyre procurement. CCI stated that a copy of the order is available on the CCI website at www.cci.gov.in.

What CCI found (conduct and evidence)

CCI’s key finding was bid rigging through coordinated behaviour by Rekha Agencies and SS Marketing. CCI relied on a contemporaneous exchange of emails containing commercially sensitive information regarding price bids before submission of bids.CCI concluded that the two firms acted in a concerted manner, amounting to bid rigging in Himachal Pradesh Tender 2013.CCI held that the conduct contravened Section 3(3)(d) read with Section 3(1) of the Act. (In plain terms: the Act prohibits certain agreements that cause bid rigging or have an appreciable adverse effect on competition.)

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