NCLAT approves penalty imposed by CCI's on UBL and other beer makers

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has upheld the Rs 873-crore penalty imposed by fair trade regulator CCI, on UBL and other beer makers.

The NCLAT bench said that after examining the materials and considering the arguments, it was of opinion that the "appellants had already admitted in the leniency application regarding their involvement in the cartelisation".

Referring to the batch of petitions moved by the beer makers before the CCI seeking reduction in penalty, the NCLAT said: "Lesser penalty application is like an admission of guilt in a cartel."

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in September 2021 imposed penalties over Rs. 873 crore on UBL, Carlsberg India, All India Brewers' Association (AIBA) and 11 individuals for cartelisation in the sale and supply of beer.