Madison vs CCI: DG’s summons withdrawn

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday continued the hearing on a plea filed by Madison Media questioning the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) procedures for conducting investigations and the authority of the Director General (DG). According to media reports, at the hearing, the Director General’s notice summoning Madison on October 14 was retracted, and the court took note of the submission before postponing the case.

Earlier yesterday, Justice Datta heard the petition filed by Madison Communications Pvt. Ltd.

During the hearing, Madison contended that the Director General (DG) does not have the autonomous power to include additional parties in the investigation without first obtaining authorization from the Commission.

According to media reports, the counsel remarked that “the CCI acted in a manner akin to the Enforcement Directorate, treating the matter as though it were a criminal proceeding,” further characterizing the DG’s actions as a “fishing and roving expedition.”

The legal representatives further pointed out that the firm has yet to be granted access to the materials that were seized during the investigation.

Madison was among several advertising agencies and broadcasters searched by the CCI in March as part of a probe into alleged collusion over media rates and discounts. The investigation is one of the most extensive enforcement actions ever undertaken in the Indian advertising ecosystem.

The CCI investigation was triggered by information submitted under its leniency programme in early 2024, reportedly by dentsu. Preliminary findings had suggested that several leading agencies may have coordinated pricing strategies through informal channels, including messaging platforms.