Mr. Justice A.N. Divecha, Chairman—The DG has approached this Commission under Section 36B(c) and Section 10(a)(iii) of the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (the MRTP Act for brief) charging the respondent with adoption of and indulgence in unfair and restrictive trade practices within their respective meanings contained therein qua its advertisement announcing a prize contest. The respondent has filed its reply and has resisted the proceeding on various grounds.

2. It would be quite proper to look at a few facts giving rise to the present proceeding. The respondent appears to have issued one advertisement in The Hindustan Times daily on 20th July, 1997 announcing some prize contest. The contest was to remain open till 15th August, 1997. The first prize was a trip for two persons to witness the Winter Olympics in Japan, the second prize was two Panasonic Mini Hi-Fi systems with 5 CD changer and the third prize three Panasonic G-400 cellular phones and 500 exciting consolation prizes. In order to enter the contest a person had to buy a Panasonic T.V. which was offered at a special price of Rs. 2,000/- below the normal price. The contest consisted of certain t