Google's plea to stay CCI ruling on Android rejected
NCLAT directs search giant to deposit 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed by CCI
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Wednesday declined Google's request for an interim stay on a ruling by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) that ordered the tech giant to change its approach to its Android platform, according to media reports. The tribunal has also directed the search giant to deposit 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed by the CCI.
The CCI had fined Google in October last year for exploiting its dominant position in online search and the Android app store, and asked it to change curbs on smartphone makers related to pre-installing apps. The NCLAT direction came over a petition filed by Google challenging this CCI order. In its peition, Google had alleged that CCI verdict was a "copy-paste job".
"CCI lifted the judgement of EU and copy pasted without examining the facts in Indian context," Google had contended.
The NCLAT declined to grant any immediate stay on the CCI penalty and said it would pass any order after hearing out other parties. The tribunal issued notices to CCI and directed to list the matter on February 13 for hearing.
"We are of opinion that at the moment given the voluminous nature of the appeal, there is no need to pass any interim order," the two-member tribunal panel said, according to media reports.
Appearing on behalf of Google, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi reportedly said the CCI's decision will force the company to change its business model and harm consumer interest. The tribunal did not, however, agree with this argument.
