What is the procedure for inquiry of complaint under section 19 of the Competition Act, 2002 ?

Section 26 of the Competition Act details out the procedure for inquiry of complaint. According to it if the Competition Commission of India is of the opinion that there exists a prima facie case, on receipt of an information from any person, consumer, their association or trade association or on a reference from Central Government or State Government or of a statutory authority or on its knowledge or information under Section 19, it shall direct the Director General to cause an investigation to be made into the matter. The Director General shall investigate into the matter and submit a report of its findings within the period as may be specified by the Commission. It is, however, not binding on the Commission to accept the report of the Director General. Where upon receipt of a reference or information, the Commission is of the opinion that there is no prima-facie case, it shall pass an order dismissing the reference/ information, as it deems fit and necessary. Upon receipt of a report from the Director General, the Commission shall forward a copy thereof to (a) the parties concerned or (b) Central Government or (c) State Government or (d) statutory authority as the case may be. If the Director General, in relation to a matter referred to it, recommends that there is no contravention of any of the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall give an opportunity of hearing to the informant and after hearing, if the Commission agrees with the recommendation of the Director General, it shall dismiss the information. If, after hearing information provider, the Commission is of the opinion that further inquiry is called for, it shall direct the enquiry to proceed further. Where the report of the Director General relates to matter referred to Commission by the Central Government or a State Government or a statutory authority and the report contains recommendation that there is no contravention of the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall invite the comments of the Central Government or the State Government or statutory authority, as the case may be, on such report. On receipt of the comments, if there is no prima-facie case, in the opinion of the Commission the Commission shall return the reference. However, if the Commission feels that there is a prima-facie case it shall proceed with a reference. Section 26(9) provides that the Commission on receipt of recommendation of Director General that there is contravention of any of the provisions of the Act, and a further inquiry is called for, shall inquire into such contravention in accordance with the provisions of the Act.