On October 20 last year, the CCI had slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to various Android mobile devices. The regulator also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices. This ruling was challenged before the NCLAT, which is an appellate authority over the orders passed by the CCI.
The Supreme Court on Friday said it will hear on October 10 the cross-pleas of Google and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) challenging the verdict of an appellate tribunal in a case related to Google’s alleged anti-competitive practices in the android mobile device case. A bench consisting Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra took up the pleas and asked for “some time to get ready” with the case.Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for one of the parties, said the plea may be kept for final disposal later. The bench then said that the cross-pleas ought to be listed for final disposal on October 10 and the parties shall complete filing of pleadings by October 7.While upholding the fine imposed by the CCI for exploiting its dominant position in Android, the NCLAT had struck down an anti-trust regulator order that had said Google will not restrict the removal of its pre-installed apps by the users.
The appellate tribunal informed that “the impugned order of the Commission is upheld except the four directions” issued and added that Google is “thus not entitled for any other relief except for setting aside the above four directions”.
