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Introduction: When Market Leadership Invites Regulatory Scrutiny The Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) decision to examine IndiGo Airlines over mass flight cancellations marks a critical moment in India’s aviation sector. While the CCI has not yet specified the exact statutory violations, the probe assumes significance given IndiGo’s overwhelming 65% share of India’s domestic aviation market . Market dominance, though not illegal per se, invites antitrust scrutiny when it appears to distort competition, consumer choice, or market access. IndiGo’s rise—from a modest low-cost carrier in 2006 to a near-monopolistic force by 2025—offers a textbook case study of how timing, policy gaps, industry failures, and capacity decisions can reshape an entire sector. IndiGo’s Early Years: Right Place, Right Time IndiGo, operated by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. , commenced operations in 2006 with a no-frills, low-cost model and a small fleet. Unlike its competitors, IndiGo focused on operational di...

1. Background of the Incident The Delhi Police recently arrested a 19-year-old Class 12 dropout, Aman, from Hisar, Haryana, for allegedly duping multiple individuals by offering heavily discounted iPhones through fake social media pages. Acting on digital trail evidence, the police traced his mobile number to his village and apprehended him through a late-night raid. According to the investigation, Aman had learned online fraud techniques from local cybercriminals. To conceal the proceeds of fraud, he transferred the money through multiple bank accounts. Victims were lured using manipulated images, forged screenshots of previous deliveries, and UPI payment links that appeared legitimate. One complainant stated that he made 29 UPI transactions totalling ₹65,782 , after being persuaded with false explanations regarding shipping and tax charges. No product was delivered, and communication was blocked afterward. The police have so far identified at least eight similar complaints , and...

Introduction The Delhi High Court has permitted JTNL Consumer Health , a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson , to continue marketing its electrolyte drink under the registered trademark “ORSL” , despite the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issuing a ban on the use of the term ‘ORS’ in beverage branding. The High Court order places the FSSAI directive in temporary suspension only with respect to JTNL , until the authority decides on the company’s representation. This interim protection addresses concerns surrounding regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and market impact. Background: FSSAI’s Prohibition on Use of “ORS” On October 14 and 15, 2025 , the FSSAI issued orders directing Food Business Operators (FBOs) to refrain from using the term ORS : In product names On packaging labels In advertisements As part of trademarks The regulator reasoned that electrolyte drinks marketed as “ORS” or similarly named alternatives misled consumers i...

The Madras High Court has directed Air India Limited to compensate a passenger with ₹35,000 after he suffered vomiting sensations and stomach pain from consuming a meal that contained a strand of hair . The ruling reinforces the principle that airlines are liable for negligence in services provided to passengers, even when outsourced to third-party caterers. Background of the Case The case arose when a passenger onboard an Air India flight consumed food supplied by the airline, only to find a hair follicle in the meal. The passenger experienced immediate nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and subsequently lodged a complaint upon landing. The trial court had earlier directed Air India to pay ₹1 lakh in damages for negligence. Air India appealed against this decision, arguing that the food was prepared by an external caterer — Ambassador Pallava Hotel — and that the airline itself could not be held directly responsible. Court’s Observations and Findings Justice P. B. Ba...

The Delhi High Court has raised significant questions over the legality of restaurants charging customers beyond the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of goods under the guise of ambience costs and service charges. The observations came during hearings on appeals filed by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) challenging earlier court orders restricting automatic service charges. Court Observations: Charging Beyond MRP Under Scrutiny A division bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed strong reservations about the practice of levying extra charges on goods, citing the Legal Metrology Act , which prohibits selling items above their declared MRP. To drive the point home, the bench presented a striking illustration: A ₹20 MRP water bottle billed at ₹100 in a restaurant, broken down as ₹80 for ambience and ₹10 as service charge. The Court questioned the leg...

CCPA Directs Ola to Provide Consumer Choice for Refunds and Ensures Billing Transparency The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)  has issued a directive to Ola , the ride-hailing giant, to revamp its refund policy and ensure transparency in its billing for auto rides. This regulatory action is aimed at protecting consumer rights and enhancing service transparency. Consumer-Friendly Refund Mechanism   Under the CCPA’s directive , Ola is now required to offer customers the option to select their preferred refund method. Previously, refunds were provided solely in the form of coupons for future rides, which the CCPA found to be a potential infringement on consumer rights. The new system allows consumers to choose between refunds to their bank accounts  or coupon codes , empowering them with more control over their refunds. CCPA's Intervention on Refund Policy   This intervention by the CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare , followed complaints ...