The case arose from a suo motu investigation initiated by the CCI in 2019 after receiving complaints alleging cartelisation by gray cement producers and irregular will increase in cement costs. BAI was amongst people who had complained to the regulator.
After the Director Basic accomplished the investigation and submitted its report in July 2022, BAI sought permission to take part within the proceedings.
In July 2023, the CCI allowed the request beneath Regulation 25 of the Competitors Fee of India (Basic) Rules, 2009. It discovered that BAI had substantial curiosity within the consequence and permitted it to examine non-confidential data and file its opinion on the investigation report.
UltraTech challenged the choice. It argued that the order was unreasoned and had been handed with out giving UltraTech a chance of listening to. He additionally contended that since BAI’s earlier utility for impleadment had been rejected, permitting a recent utility amounted to an impermissible evaluate.
The Excessive Court docket rejected each arguments.