CCI (Competition Commission of India) has asked the Supreme Court to hear legal challenges to the investigation of e-commerce platforms Amazon and Flipkart. They said that Samsung, Vivo and other companies are filing challenges in different courts with the aim of stopping the High Court investigation.
On December 3, CCI filed a document in the court that it did not make public. The Competition Commission of India requested the court to hear 23 complaints from vendors against Samsung, Vivo, Amazon, and Flipkart to ensure a prompt decision on the matter.
Want to weaken and spoil the process of investigation: CCI
CCI said that since the findings of the investigation, some vendors of Amazon, Flipkart, Samsung and Vivo have filed nearly two dozen cases in five High Courts. The vendors have done this to stop the investigation. They also want to weaken and spoil the process of investigation.
This investigation is a big regulatory challenge for Amazon and Flipkart
However, no statement has come from Amazon, Flipkart, Samsung, Vivo and CCI on this matter so far. This investigation is a big regulatory challenge for Amazon and Flipkart. Because, e-commerce sales in this market will exceed $ 160 billion by 2028, which was around $ 60 billion in 2023.
Amazon and Flipkart have violated antitrust laws: CCI
The CCI’s investigation unit concluded in August that Amazon and Flipkart had violated India’s antitrust laws by giving preferential treatment to select vendors on their websites.
The commission also found that smartphone companies such as Samsung and Vivo had violated those laws by colluding with these two e-commerce companies to launch products online.
Amazon and Flipkart denied any wrongdoing
Amazon and Flipkart have been facing criticism from small retailers for years over their business practices. They say that they have suffered losses due to heavy discounts and preferential treatment offered by the platforms. At the same time, Amazon and Flipkart have denied any wrongdoing.
CCI’s investigation against Amazon and Flipkart started in 2020
The CCI began its investigation against Amazon and Flipkart in 2020, but it has faced several delays. Most of the 23 lawsuits filed across India to challenge the case accuse the CCI of not following due process during its investigation.
A lawyer associated with the case said that the Supreme Court is likely to hear a request to transfer the 23 cases filed by the commission this week.
