State-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) has formally requested the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for detailed information regarding the ongoing investigation into alleged cartelisation in the steel industry, officials said on Thursday.
SAIL’s request comes as the CCI continues to probe potential violations of competition norms by several steel manufacturers over pricing and supply arrangements. The request for details signals SAIL’s intent to understand the scope, basis and evidence considered in the regulatory inquiry.
Industry sources noted that SAIL’s engagement with the CCI underscores the seriousness with which major stakeholders are approaching the inquiry, which could have wide-ranging implications for pricing dynamics, supply contracts and competitive practices in India’s steel sector.
In its communication to the regulator, SAIL has sought clarity on the specific allegations under review, the criteria used for suspect identification, and the evidence relied upon for initiating the probe. The company has reportedly emphasised the need for transparency in the investigation process to ensure fair assessment of compliance by all participants.
SAIL, one of India’s largest integrated steel producers, has maintained in its filings that it operates within the framework of applicable competition and regulatory laws, and supports efforts to promote fair market conduct. The company stressed that any concerns related to competitive behaviour should be addressed through data-driven and well-substantiated regulatory procedures.
Officials in the steel sector said that the CCI’s probe has attracted attention across the industry, with several producers closely monitoring developments amid concerns that findings could lead to significant penalties or corrective actions. However, regulators have not publicly disclosed detailed findings or named entities that may be under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.
Analysts said that close engagement between industry participants and competition authorities can help clarify issues related to pricing coordination, supply practices and market behaviour — areas that are central to the CCI’s mandate to ensure competitive market conditions.
The CCI is expected to continue with its fact-finding and adjudication process, balancing confidentiality with procedural fairness. Any formal findings or enforcement actions would likely be communicated after thorough review and compliance with legal protocols.
