CCI raids offices of ad agencies, IBDF across India

New Delhi: Law enforcement authorities on Tuesday launched searches at advertising agencies across the country and the top broadcasters body IBDF, sources informed NewsDrum.

The reason behind the searches remains unclear at the time of filing this report. However, sources said that the raids are apparently related to a matter involving the Competition Commission of India over the alleged price collusion.

The CCI’s raid operations typically involve law enforcement authorities gathering documents and data for further investigation into antitrust cases.

It is alleged that a few broadcasters and global tech giants colluded with member agencies of the Advertising Agencies Association of India to prioritise their inventories in breach of antitrust laws.

Sources at the antitrust body told NewsDrum that an investigation into complaints of price collusion prima facie revealed that smaller players were at the receiving end due to such predatory practices.

Authorities have blocked the entries and exits of the offices of media agencies and seized the phones and laptops of employees.

Sources told NewsDrum that authorities are at GroupM’s Mumbai office at Bay 99 as well as its Gurugram offices.

IPG Mediabrands India offices in Mumbai and Gurugram are also being searched.