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HP India fined ₹1.4 billion for "cartelization" of ink cartridges, toner, PCs

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On 13 July 2026, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) imposed penalties totaling about INR1.38 billion (about $14.4 million) on HP India Sales Private Limited, finding that the company had colluded with reseller partners in the "cartelization" of bids for government contracts covering computers, ink cartridges, toner, and other printing supplies.[1]

Background

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HP India sells computers and printing supplies in India, including through channel partners that bid on procurement tenders issued by government bodies.[2]

Cartelization penalty

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Through two separate orders issued on 13 July 2026, the CCI imposed penalties of about INR1.27 billion and about INR120 million on HP India for cartelizing with certain resellers in relation to government tenders.[3] The CCI additionally imposed a combined penalty of about INR35 million on 16 Tier-2 resellers, finding they had violated the Competition Act through bid rigging.[4]

Consumer response

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Press coverage of the penalty noted that bid rigging in government procurement inflates the prices paid by public institutions for computers and printing supplies.[5]

References

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  1. ↑ Harding, Scharon (16 Jul 2026). "HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for "cartelization" of ink cartridges, toner, PCs". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 22 Jul 2026. Retrieved 22 Oct 2026.
  2. ↑ Harding, Scharon (16 Jul 2026). "HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for "cartelization" of ink cartridges, toner, PCs". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 22 Jul 2026. Retrieved 22 Oct 2026.
  3. ↑ "CCI fines HP India INR1.38bn for cartelisation, bid rigging". Asia Business Law Journal. Jul 2026. Archived from the original on 22 Oct 2026. Retrieved 22 Oct 2026.
  4. ↑ "CCI fines HP India INR1.38bn for cartelisation, bid rigging". Asia Business Law Journal. Jul 2026. Archived from the original on 22 Oct 2026. Retrieved 22 Oct 2026.
  5. ↑ "HP hit with massive 1.4 billion rupee fine for running 'cartel' of ink and toner sales". Yahoo Finance. Jul 2026. Retrieved 22 Oct 2026.
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