Hello
While upholding the fine imposed by the CCI for exploiting its dominant position in Android, the NCLAT struck down anti-trust regulator order that had said Google will not restrict the removal of its pre-installed apps by the users.
The move comes after the SC upheld stringent antitrust directives last week, rejecting a Google challenge against a CCI ruling that said the company abused its market position.
The top court asked the NCLAT to decide Google's appeal against the competition regulator's order by March 31 this year.
The order comes months after the National Restaurant Association of India asked the CCI to investigate the companies for breaching platform neutrality by providing priority to exclusive contractors.
In the coming weeks, the CCI will review Apple's response to the allegations and could order a wider investigation or dismiss the case altogether if it finds no merit in it.
Alphabet Inc's Google sued the Competition Commission of India (CCI) at a New Delhi court last week, urging a judge to direct the watchdog to prevent leaks of information.
The CCI ordered the investigation against the companies last year for allegedly promoting select sellers on their e-commerce platforms and using business practices that stifle competition.
Google Pay is a popular digital wallet platform.
A 3-member bench of the NCLAT headed by chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya has set aside the earlier order passed by the Competition Commission of India in this regard.
An order from the Competition Commission of India found Google's restrictions on manufacturers seemed to amount to imposition of 'unfair conditions' under India's competition law.