NCLAT to hear Admission of Micromax, Karbonn's Petitions in CCI vs Google

NCLAT to hear Admission of Micromax, Karbonn's Petitions in CCI vs Google

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (in short NCLAT) will decide 'for admission' of both Micromax and Karbonn in petitions in the case of Competition Commission of India (in short CCI) vs. Google in which the fair-trade regulator had imposed a penalty on the global IT giant. Initially, the NCLAT was hearing two separate appeals filed by Micromax and Jaina India, which sells mobile devices under Karbonn India and along with this the NCLAT is also hearing the case of CCI vs Google case involving Android mobile devices.

It was reported that as per latest updates, the NCLAT reportedly directed the admitting the petitions filed by Micromax and Karbonn, challenging the CCI's order on Android mobile devices, against Google.

As per the report published by the Press Trust of India (in short PTI), the NCLAT will decide 'for admission' of both Micromax and Karbonn's petitions as in them, both have challenged CCI's order that has imposed a penalty on Google. In addition to this, the report adds, that the bench has also directed its registry to place on record the appeal filed by Google with regards to this case.

NCLAT, which is an appellate authority over the CCI against any direction issued or decision made or order passed by the regulator, was hearing the two separate appeals filed by Micromax and Jaina India (which sell mobile devices under Karbonn brand), supporting Google.

On October October, 2022, CCI slapped a penalty of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for anti-competitive practices in relation to Android mobile devices. In the October ruling, CCI had also ordered the internet major to cease and desist from various unfair business practices.

This order was challenged by Google before NCLAT, which had on 4 January, 2023 declined to pass an interim order on Google's petition and hence did not grant any immediate stay on the CCI's order, observing that it was passed on October 20, 2022 but the appeal against it, was filed on 20 December, 2022.

The NCLAT had also directed Google to deposit ten per cent of the penalty amount within three weeks. Previously, on January 4, Micromax and Karbonn's petition were listed along with Google. However, it appeared that there were defects.