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ARTICLE · 16 FEBRUARY 2026

The "Impossible Choice" Of Interim Relief: When A Stay Comes At A Price

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Interim relief should pause further action in a case. It should not permit a direction, order or penalty to continue operating in the background.

IndiaAntitrust/Competition Law
Kirthi Srinivas
Kirthi Srinivas
Deepanshu Poddar
Deepanshu Poddar
Pavan Kalyan
Pavan Kalyan
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This article has been published by India Business Law Journal at Delhi High Court: CCI penalty interest halted on stay ruling | India | Law.asia.

Interim relief should pause further action in a case. It should not permit a direction, order or penalty to continue operating in the background. However, that has happened for years in India's competition law. Even after an appellate tribunal stays the recovery of a penalty imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), interest often continues to accrue. This places appellants in a legally awkward and financially punishing position.

A recent decision of Delhi High Court has now decisively interrupted this practice, reshaping the relationship between interim relief, interest and penalty recovery.

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