Investigation against Amazon, Flipkart: SC says all pending cases should be referred to Karnataka HC

Last update:December 16, 2024, 5:22 p.m. IST

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan issued notice on the plea filed by the CCI which sought transfer of petitions filed by e-commerce platforms from the high courts to the top court or the Delhi High Court.

The Supreme Court on Monday said petitions by e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart challenging a Competition Commission of India order ordering a probe against them for alleged malpractice should be transferred to the Karnataka High Court.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Manmohan issued notice on the plea filed by the CCI which sought transfer of petitions filed by e-commerce platforms from the high courts to the top court or the Delhi High Court.

“Issue an opinion. Prima facie, we are of the view that all the cases pending before various High Courts should be transferred to the High Court of Karnataka for hearing,” the bench said and posted the matter on January 6, 2025.

The top court, however, asked the Karnataka High Court not to proceed with the hearing on the petitions filed by the e-commerce giants.

During the hearing, Attorney General R Venkataramani submitted that the CCI had no objection if the matter was heard by the Karnataka High Court.

In its plea before the top court, the CCI sought directions to transfer the cases pending before the high courts of Allahabad, Madras, Telangana, Punjab & Haryana, Delhi and Karnataka, either to the Supreme Court or the High Court. Delhi Court.

Fair trade regulator CCI has ordered a probe against Flipkart and Amazon for alleged dishonest practices, including deep discounts and tie-ups with preferred sellers on their platforms.

The CCI’s inquiry order follows a complaint filed by Delhi Vyapar Mahasang, whose members include many traders of smartphones and related accessories.

Following the CCI order, Amazon and Flipkart filed separate petitions in various high courts, challenging the investigation.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)