CCI directs 17 Opposite Parties to cease and desist from anti-competitive practices in relation to tenders invited by Assam Police Housing Corporation for “Internal and External Electrification works in Police Station Buildings” across the State

**Executive Summary** The Competition Commission of India (CCI) issued an order on April 7, 2026, directing 17 parties to cease and desist from bid-rigging in electrification tenders for police stations in Assam. Arising from a 2020 complaint, the investigation confirmed that the parties manipulated the bidding process through rotation and cover bidding. The involved entities and their proprietors must immediately halt all anti-competitive practices found to be in violation of the Competition Act, 2002. **Key Points / Main Content** **Legal Violations and Findings** * The CCI found 17 Opposite Parties (OPs) in violation of Sections 3(3)(d) and 3(1) of the Competition Act, 2002. * The OPs engaged in bid-rigging via bid-rotation and/or cover bidding to manipulate the tender process. * The conduct was intended to reduce the competitive intensity of the bidding process for public works. **Evidence of Collusion** * The Commission's findings are premised on evidence of identical mistakes in bid submissions across different parties. * Technical evidence included the use of identical IP addresses for bid uploads. * Further proof involved Call Detail Records (CDR) and the submission of Demand Drafts (DDs) with consecutive numbers. **Scope of the Tenders** * The case involves tenders for “Internal and External Electrification works in Police Station Buildings” across Assam. * The tenders were floated by the Assam Police Housing Corporation Limited under the “Mission of Overall Improvement of Thana for Responsive Image Scheme.” **Regulatory Directives** * Under Section 27(a) of the Act, the CCI directed all OPs to immediately cease and desist from anti-competitive practices. * Liability for the conduct extends to the respective proprietors of the firms under Section 48 of the Act. * The order was passed in Suo-Motu Case No. 03 of 2021. **Impact Analysis** **The 17 Opposite Parties (including M/s Purbanchal Enterprise) and their Proprietors** **Impact** These entities have been legally identified as participants in a bid-rigging cartel, leading to a formal cease-and-desist order and established liability for their proprietors under the Competition Act. **Action Required** They must immediately stop all anti-competitive conduct and ensure future compliance with the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002. **Assam Police Housing Corporation Limited** **Impact** The corporation’s procurement process for the state-wide police station improvement scheme was compromised by manipulated bidding, affecting the competitive pricing and integrity of the tenders. **Action Required** The document does not specify a mandatory action for the corporation, though it identifies their tenders as the subject of the investigation. **Office of the Accountant General (Audit), Assam** **Impact** As the original complainant (dated 10.08.2020), the office’s allegations of irregularities in the tender process have been substantiated by the Commission’s findings. **Action Required** No specific action is required from this stakeholder based on the provided document.

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