CCI Approves Key Business Combinations and Acquisitions in Multiple Sectors on April 22, 2025.

National

On April 22, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the following proposals:


      - The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed combination of Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), a global provider of safety and critical forged components and solutions to various sectors such as automotive, railways, and defence, for the acquisition of 100% equity shareholding of AAM India Manufacturing Corporation Private Limited (AAMCPL), which is primarily engaged in the manufacturing and selling of axles for commercial vehicles in India, with voluntary modifications.

      - The approval followed BFL's announcement on October 17, 2024, regarding the execution of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire 100% stake in AAMCPL.

     

Main Point :-   (i) On April 22, 2025, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved a joint proposal from 360 ONE Private Equity Fund and Bharti Life Ventures Private Limited (BLVPL) to acquire certain stakes in Bharti Axa Life Insurance Company Limited (BALIC), a private, unlisted limited liability company offering life insurance policies in India. The transaction will be executed in two stages: first, 360 Fund, through its schemes or affiliates, will acquire equity shares of BALIC from BLVPL.

      (ii) Subsequently, both 360 ONE and BLVPL will subscribe to additional equity shares in BALIC. BLVPL is the parent company of BALIC, and both are part of the Bharti Group. 360 Fund, a Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), focuses on investing across various sectors globally.

(iii) The CCI approved KGBPL's Rs 2,000 crore acquisition of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages' operations in North Gujarat and Diu. Supporting Coca-Cola’s strategy of franchising regional operations, the deal enables KGBPL—an authorized bottler in Rajasthan—to expand its distribution of non-alcoholic beverages into new markets.

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