Kochi: The Kerala High Court has rejected the plea filed by filmmakers against the notice issued by the Competition Commission of India on a complaint by director Vinayan. Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar passed the order while considering the plea filed by Kamal, Seven Arts Mohan, Siddique, Sibi Malayil, B. Unnikrishnan and V.V. Giridhar.
Vinayan had filed a complaint before the Competition Commission arguing that the petitioners were indulging in anti-competitive practices to restrain him from carrying on his business. The main allegation was that a ban had been imposed on him by Film Employees Federation of Kerala and its affiliated trade unions.
The commission on February 24 directed its Director-General to conduct an investigation and a report was filed on November 18, 2015. Though repeated notices were sent, the petitioners did not appear and the commission directed that the proceedings will be continued against them as if they have nothing to say in the matter.
On the same day, by a separate order, the commission directed its secretary to issue notice to the petitioners calling upon them to show cause why penalty under section 43 of the Act shall not be imposed on them for non-compliance of the direction issued by the commission in its order to file their income tax returns.
The petitioners filed identical replies to the commission. The final orders in this connection are yet to be passed by the commission.
