India's Competition Commission (CCI) has fined HP India and its reseller partners approximately $14.4 million (1.4 billion rupees) for colluding to rig bids on government contracts and fix prices on printers, ink cartridges, and toner between 2017 and 2020. WhatsApp records revealed that HP India played a central role in coordinating with resellers on bid rigging, price fixing, and customer allocation, though HP disputed being characterised as the "kingpin" of the arrangement. The CCI ordered HP and its partners to cease anti-competitive conduct and complete compliance training within 60 days; HP has not publicly commented on the ruling.
