JioStar India has filed a petition with the Bombay High Court challenging an order by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that asserted jurisdiction over a dispute involving Asianet Digital Network Private Ltd (ADNPL). The media and entertainment company contends that the issue falls under the regulatory purview of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) rather than the CCI.

The controversy centers on an allegation by ADNPL, made in January 2022, accusing JioStar of abusing its dominant position through certain commercial agreements related to advertising and promotion services. ADNPL claims these arrangements included discounts that exceeded limits established under the 2017 interconnection regulations. Following the complaint, the CCI initiated an investigation in February 2022, authorizing its Director General to conduct a probe into the matter under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act.

JioStar, in its writ petition submitted to the Bombay High Court, argues that the CCI’s assumption of jurisdiction is misplaced because the dispute pertains primarily to broadcasting norms overseen by Trai. The company points to a Supreme Court judgment in the case of CCI versus Bharti Airtel, which established that in sectors subject to specific regulatory frameworks, such as telecommunications and broadcasting, the relevant expert regulator should first address jurisdictional questions before competition authorities intervene.

The petition challenges the CCI’s March 25, 2026 order initiating proceedings, asserting that sector-specific regulations and the authority of Trai take precedence. The motion marks a significant legal contention over regulatory boundaries between competition law enforcement and telecom sector governance.

Efforts to obtain comment from JioStar were unsuccessful. The CCI and Trai did not immediately provide remarks on the ongoing legal proceedings.

The case underscores ongoing tensions in India’s regulatory environment as the boundaries of authority between specialized telecom regulators and competition authorities remain contested, particularly in the evolving media and broadcast sectors.