--- title: "CCI Closes Antitrust Complaint against Delhi International Airport Limited; Finds No Fault in Security Tender Process" date: 2026-08-21 author: "King Stubb & Kasiva" url: https://ksandk.com/newsletter/cci-antitrust-dial/ --- # CCI Closes Antitrust Complaint against Delhi International Airport Limited; Finds No Fault in Security Tender Process Posted On - 21 August, 2026 • By - King Stubb & Kasiva On 16 July 2026, the CCI closed[[1]](#_ftn1) proceedings against the Airports Authority of India (**AAI**), Ministry of Civil Aviation (**MoCA**) and Delhi International Airport Limited (**DIAL**) concerning alleged contraventions of Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act. The Informant, Mr. Swam Kartik Sharma, Director of Galaxy Security and Allied Services Pvt. Ltd., alleged that DIAL had abused its dominant position for over 20 years by undermining competitive bidding and exclusively awarding tenders for non-core security services at Indira Gandhi International Airport (**IGIA**) to RAXA Security Services Limited (**RAXA**), a GMR Group company (**GMR**). The Informant alleged that this violated DIAL’s obligations under the Operation, Management and Development Agreement (**OMDA**) and resulted in unfair practices and denial of market access under Sections 4(2)(a)(i), 4(2)(b)(i), 4(2)(c) and 4(2)(e). DIAL, a consortium of AAI and GMR, submitted that the tenders complied with the OMDA and applicable laws. Based on the independent probity auditor’s report, Board resolutions and minutes of Board meetings, the CCI found that the 2020 tenders for security services at IGIA and DIAL’s offices, and the 2025 tender for non-core security functions at IGIA, followed a competitive process involving multiple bidders. This included publication of tender notices, sealed bids under a two-bid system, technical evaluation and opening of technical bids in the presence of the probity auditor’s representatives. The CCI therefore found that RAXA was awarded the tenders through a competitive, arm’s-length process. It also noted that the Informant had provided no material demonstrating unfair tender conditions, bid rigging or collusive bidding. Accordingly, the CCI found no prima facie contravention of Sections 3 and 4 and closed the matter under Section 26(2). The CCI’s approach may be compared with its decision[[2]](#_ftn2) in a similar matter involving GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (**HIAL**), which had refused to renew Air Works India’s licence to provide Line Maintenance Services (**LMS**), allegedly favouring its group entity, GMR Aero Technic Limited (**GMR Aero Technic**). The CCI considered that the absence of alternative, reasonably priced access to the airport could restrict competition, particularly given the parties’ respective market shares. Ultimately, however, the CCI cleared HIAL, finding that: (i) LMS could be provided by self-handling airlines and off-site third parties, (ii) airport premises were not indispensable for market access, and (iii) HIAL’s communications directing airlines to alternative vendors did not favour its affiliate or any particular vendor. **Business Takeaway**: The DIAL and HIAL decisions indicate that allegations of preferential treatment or group affiliation must be assessed against their actual effect on competition and market access. Businesses operating under concession arrangements should maintain records demonstrating objective vendor selection, competitive bidding and arm’s-length decision-making. --- [[1]](#_ftnref1) CCI: In re: Swam Kartik Sharma and Airports Authority of India & Ors., Case No. 27 of 2025, order dated 16 July 2026. [[2]](#_ftnref2) CCI: In re: Air Works India (Engineering) Pvt. Ltd. and GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd & Anr., Case No. 30 of 2019, order dated 15 September 2025. *Last Updated on 21 August, 2026* Get King Stubb & Kasiva’s legal updates in your Google feed[![Add King Stubb & Kasiva as a preferred source on Google](https://ksandk.com/wp-content/uploads/google_preferred_source_badge_light_en@2x.png)](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://ksandk.com/) --- ## Office Locations - [New Delhi](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-delhi/) (HQ): +91-11-41318190 | info@ksandk.com - [Mumbai](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-mumbai/): 3 offices (Nariman Point, Lower Parel, Andheri) | mumbai@ksandk.com - [Bangalore](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-bangalore/): bangalore@ksandk.com - [Chennai](https://ksandk.com/locations/chennai/): chennai@ksandk.com - [Hyderabad](https://ksandk.com/locations/hyderabad/): hyderabad@ksandk.com - [Pune](https://ksandk.com/locations/pune/): pune@ksandk.com - [Kochi](https://ksandk.com/locations/kochi/): kochi@ksandk.com ## Contact - [Contact Page](https://ksandk.com/contact-us/) - General: info@ksandk.com | +91-11-41318190 - WhatsApp: +91-7428567444 - [Privacy Statement](https://ksandk.com/privacy-statement/) - [Terms of Use](https://ksandk.com/terms-of-use/)