SC scraps CCP tribunal’s fine against sugar mill owners

Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted big relief to sugar mills by suspending the decision of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) tribunal which had imposed fine on sugar mill owners for increasing sugar prices in 2021, reported 24NewsHDTV Channel. 

SC Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Aamir Farooq had heard the appeal of Sugar Mills against the Tribunal decision. Justice Shakeel Ahmed wrote a 9-page judgment in the case. 

After scraping the order of the tribunal, Supreme Court sent the case back to the Competition Commission. 

In 2021 the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) had taken action against sugar mills across the country for increasing sugar prices. During initial probe, two members of the four-member CCP commission had recommended fines while two had suggested re-investigation. The chairperson cast the decisive vote and imposed fines on the sugar mills. The sugar mill  owner had challenged this decision in the apex court. 

SC bench in its decision observed that Article 10A of the Constitution granted the right to a fair trial, adding that Chairperson's decisive voting was against the principles of impartiality if the Chairperson had already given an opinion and its decisive vote is against fair proceedings. 

The SC observed that the power of decisive vote was limited to administrative decisions and it cannot be applied in judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court said justice should not only be done but also be seen to be done.  The apex court has sent the case back to CCP tribunal.

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori