2024 (11) TMI 933 - CCI - Law of Competition

Chess Tournament Dispute Dismissed; No Competition Law Violations Found by Commission.

In Re: Prem Kumar G., Mrs. T. Karpagavalli, Mr. G.P. Joe Prakash, Mr. P. Stephen Palasamy

The Commission concluded that the case, centered on disciplinary actions by chess associations against the Informant for organizing an unauthorized ... Contravention of provisions of the Competition Act by chess associations leading to suspension of a member for organizing an unauthorized tournament - primary grievance of the Informant in the present matter is that he was suspended from playing chess, arbitering and organizing tournaments as he organized an allegedly unauthorized friendly match on 19.08.2018 at Kamaraj Somasundari school at Arumuganeri between Tiruchendur and Thoothukudi chess teams - HELD THAT:- The Commission, upon consideration of the Information, notes that the case appears to be in the nature of disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Opposite Parties against the Informant in the capacity of his being the Joint Secretary of TDCA and organizing an allegedly unauthorized inter-taluk chess tournament, which was not in accordance with the regulations issued by TDCA and TNSCA. Prima facie, this does not appear to raise any competition concern under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002. The Commission notes that no case of contravention of provisions of the Act warranting an investigation into the matter is made out and the matter is directed to be closed forthwith under Section 26(2) of the Act. Consequently, there is no case for grant of interim relief under Section 33 of the Act. The Secretary is directed to communicate to the Informant, accordingly. Issues:Alleged contravention of provisions of the Competition Act by chess associations leading to suspension of a member for organizing an unauthorized tournament.Analysis:The case involved an Information filed under Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act, 2002, alleging contravention of the Act by the General Secretary and President of Thoothukudi District Chess Association (TDCA) and the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association (TNSCA). The Informant, a former Joint Secretary of TDCA, organized a friendly chess match that was deemed unauthorized by TDCA. The Informant claimed to have obtained oral consent from the Vice President of TDCA for the match.The Informant received a show cause notice from TDCA regarding the unauthorized tournament, to which he responded by explaining the nature of the event and the miscommunication regarding approval. Subsequently, the Informant was suspended from all chess activities for two years by TDCA, leading to his request to TNSCA to set aside the suspension order. The Informant also sought relief for mental agony, financial loss, and damage to reputation caused by the suspension.The Commission noted that the case primarily involved disciplinary proceedings by the chess associations against the Informant for organizing the unauthorized tournament, which did not raise any competition concerns under the Competition Act, 2002. Therefore, the Commission decided that no contravention of the Act necessitating an investigation was established, and the matter was closed under Section 26(2) of the Act. As a result, no interim relief under Section 33 of the Act was deemed necessary.The Secretary was directed to communicate the decision to the Informant, indicating that the case did not warrant further investigation or action under competition law. The judgment focused on the disciplinary actions taken by the chess associations against the Informant rather than competition law violations, leading to the closure of the case without further proceedings or relief granted under the Act.