Authority: Supreme Court of India (Civil Appellate Jurisdiction)
Order Date: 19 August 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Appellant – M/S ACC Ltd (formerly The Associated Cement Cos. Limited); Respondents – Director General (Inspection & Registration) and others.
- Nature of Proceedings: A series of civil appeals (including Appeal No. 686/2008 and numerous related appeals numbered 1092/2008, 1262/2008, 1261/2008, 1294/2008, 1306/2008, 1443/2008, 4898/2008, 2467/2008, 3449/2008, 2792/2008, 2793/2008, 2794/2008, 2802/2008, 3612/2008, 2933/2008, 2987/2008, 1336/2008, 899/2008, 953/2008, 876/2008, 970/2008, 957/2008, 962/2008, 1348/2008, 956/2008, 975/2008, 1003/2008, 1004/2008, 1084/2008, 1335/2008, 1055/2008) filed against the Director General and others.
- Background: The MRTP (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices) Commission had issued a Cease‑and‑Desist direction on 20 December 2007 and a further direction on 29 February 2008. The MRTP Act has since been repealed, and the Court considered the passage of time.
- Key Legal Points: The Court held that, given the repeal of the MRTP Act and the elapsed time, it was unnecessary to examine the merits of the findings recorded in the impugned orders. Consequently, the earlier Cease‑and‑Desist directions were discharged.
- Court’s Observations: The Court expressly stated that it has not expressed any opinion on the rival contentions or the correctness of the Commission’s findings in any subsequent proceedings.
- Interlocutory Applications: Any pending interlocutory applications, if existent, were disposed of.
Final Outcome
- The appeals are dismissed/disposed of as per the signed order.
- The MRTP Commission’s Cease‑and‑Desist directions dated 20‑Dec‑2007 and 29‑Feb‑2008 are discharged.
- No opinion is rendered on the merits of the Commission’s findings.
- Pending interlocutory applications, if any, are disposed of.
Topics: Legal Dispute, Regulatory Order