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FedEx, UPS, DHL, Aramex Face Rare Cross-Examination in India Price Probe

By  |  August 14, 2025

Top executives from FedEx, UPS, Aramex, DHL, and DTDC in India are set to be cross-examined in the coming weeks by the Federation of Indian Publishers, in a significant turn in an antitrust dispute, according to Reuters. The move follows a Competition Commission of India (CCI) decision last year that found no evidence of wrongdoing in a 2022 cartel case involving the courier firms.

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    Allowing a complainant to directly question company executives is unusual in Indian competition cases and could potentially change the outcome of the investigation, per Reuters. Legal experts say the process is likely to prolong the case by several months, adding uncertainty for the courier industry at a time when India’s parcel delivery market is projected to expand 11% annually to $14.3 billion by 2030, fueled by e-commerce growth, according to Mordor Intelligence.

    The original case began when the Federation of Indian Publishers accused several courier companies of coordinating prices and discounts. In December, Reuters reported that the CCI’s probe concluded there was “no evidence” of firms exchanging sensitive commercial data. However, the publishers’ group later convinced the CCI that cross-examination was necessary because investigators relied mainly on oral statements to clear the companies.

    Related: India’s Antitrust Body Investigates Global Delivery Giants for Alleged Collusion

    The CCI’s May 28 order, reviewed by Reuters, stated that the federation had shown “sufficient cause” for questioning the executives. Those set to be examined include DTDC Express Managing Director Subhasish Chakraborty, DHL Express India Managing Director R.S. Subramanian, FedEx India Vice President Suvendu Choudhury, Aramex India General Manager Percy Avari, and UPS Express India Managing Director Abbas Panju.

    None of the named executives responded to Reuters’ requests for comment. DHL said it fully complies with all laws and is cooperating with the CCI but declined to discuss specifics. FedEx, UPS, Aramex, DTDC, and the publishers’ group also did not respond.

    Industry analysts note that revisiting the case could pose fresh challenges for global logistics companies operating in India. The sector has faced international scrutiny before — in 2015, French regulators fined 20 firms, including FedEx and DHL, a combined $735 million for price-fixing.

    According to the CCI’s earlier confidential report, no email evidence suggested coordinated activity, but the publishers’ group maintains there are inconsistencies in executives’ prior statements that were overlooked.

    Source: Reuters