The Competition Commission of India (CCI) conducted surprise raids on the offices of several global advertising giants, including GroupM, Dentsu, and Interpublic Group, as well as a major broadcasters' industry group, over allegations of price collusion. According to a Reuters report published on March 18, sources revealed that the anti-trust body is investigating claims of ad rate and discount manipulation.
The CCI’s enforcement teams searched approximately 10 locations across Mumbai, New Delhi, and Gurugram as part of the probe. Sources told Storyboard18 that GroupM’s Mumbai office, located near the Bay 99 complex close to the city’s airport, was among the premises blockaded by officials.
During such surprise inspections, CCI officers typically seize crucial documents and record testimonies from company officials. The investigation is expected to continue for several months, with the process being kept confidential.
Both the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation and the CCI have declined to comment on the raids or any ongoing enforcement actions related to price collusion.
This is not the first time the CCI has cracked down on alleged price-fixing practices. In December, the commission had raided the offices of alcohol giants Pernod Ricard and Anheuser-Busch InBev over accusations of collusion with retailers in a southern state.
