SC allows CCI to proceed with JioStar probe

DELHI: India’s Supreme Court has dismissed JioStar’s attempt to stop a competition probe into allegations it abused its dominant position in Kerala’s cable television market. The Reliance Industries-owned streaming platform must now face scrutiny over claims it offered discriminatory discounts to squeeze out rivals.

A bench of justices J B Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta ruled the matter remains preliminary, telling senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for JioStar: “Sorry. Let the regulator investigate. It is only at a preliminary stage. Dismissed.”

The Competition Commission of India is investigating complaints by Asianet Digital Network (ADNPL), a digital television provider, which alleges JioStar violated competition law by giving preferential treatment to Kerala Communicators Cable (KCCL). ADNPL claims it lost subscribers rapidly, within five to six months because of the arrangement.

Rohatgi argued that JioStar operates under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s rules, which cap broadcaster discounts at 35 per cent and mandate non-discriminatory pricing. But Asianet counters that JioStar effectively granted discounts exceeding 50 per cent to KCCL through separate marketing agreements—arrangements it calls sham deals.

JioStar had challenged a Kerala high court order from December 2025 that refused to halt the CCI investigation. The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene means the watchdog can now press ahead with its probe into whether India’s streaming behemoth wielded its market muscle unfairly. For JioStar, the heat is rising.