Overview
G. R. Bhatia is a Partner in the Competition Law practice area at the Firm. A former Additional Director General of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the erstwhile Monopolies & Restrictive Trade Practices Commission, he underwent intensive training in ‘Anti-monopoly Laws in Japan’ organized by the Japan Fair Trade Commission and has also attended training program on ‘Unilateral Conducts and Cartelization’ organized by the Korean Fair Trade Commission in Seoul. He was also associated with the amendments which were made to the Competition Act in 2007, and spearheaded the Firm’s team that advised the FTC and the DoJ in aligning the U.S. antitrust internal reference materials with Indian laws and circumstances.
In recognition of his in-depth experience in the field of competition law, Mr. Bhatia was appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, as an Expert on the National Committee on Competition Policy.
Prior to his stint at the MRTPC, Mr. Bhatia also served as the Registrar of Companies and the Official Liquidator of Patna High Court. Mr. Bhatia is a faculty with the Indian Institute of Chartered Accountants and Indian Institute of Management for competition law and policy.
He is Consulting Editor of Manupatra Competition Law Reports and also a Member of Editorial Board of Chartered Secretary. He regularly contributes articles on Corporate and Competition law issues.
Mr. Bhatia represents and appears before the CCI and the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) on competition issues. He is an Ombudsman for several German majors on issues relating to anti-competitive and anti-corruption in the Indian jurisdiction. He has appeared as a Competition Law Expert in various courts including the London Court of International Arbitration.
Experience Statement
Abuse of Dominance and Anti-Competitive Agreements
- Represented and defended Jaiprakash Associates Limited one of the largest real estate developers in an abuse of dominance inquiry before the Commission.
- Represented Flipkart – India’s leading e-Commerce organization with respect to competition complaints relating to online sales.
Cartel Investigation & Leniency Matters
- Representing Jet Airways before the CCI in respect of competition concerns emanating from dynamic pricing of airline tickets.
- Represented one of the world’s leading airline groups in an enquiry before the CCI on matters pertaining to the adoption of a zero commission policy by airline operators.
- Represented one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers as well as the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association in a cartel investigation before the CCI.
