The CCI, vide order dated 04 February 2025, dismissed allegations of bid
rigging and cartelization against HP India Sales Private Limited
(HP) and its authorized resellers.
The informant alleged collusive bidding in tenders floated by
two local development authorities for the procurement of inkjet /
LED printers with a five-year extended warranty. The informant also
claimed that HP and its resellers manipulated bid prices,
coordinated bids, and structured tender participation, and further
that restrictive tender specifications excluded other multinational
manufacturers such as Canon India and Epson India, thereby
favouring HP products.
The CCI observed that five bidders participated in one tender,
and four in the other. Different resellers had quoted different
models of HP products, undermining the claim of coordinated
bidding. As on prior occasions, the CCI confirmed that procurement
authorities have discretion in determining product specifications,
sourcing
