NCLAT Upholds CCI Order Against Google, Reduces Penalty Significantly

The NCLAT has affirmed CCI's order against Google for abusing its Play Store policies by abusing its dominant position. Although Google's penalty was reduced from Rs 936.44 crore to Rs 216 crore, the tribunal found the tech giant in violation of certain legal sections regarding competition.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) confirmed on Friday that Google has indeed abused its dominant position concerning its Play Store policies. While affirming the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) earlier ruling, the NCLAT reduced the imposed financial penalty from Rs 936.44 crore to Rs 216 crore.

A two-member bench, consisting of Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Technical Member Barun Mitra, concluded that although some violations were not fully proven, penalties were warranted for those that were. Google was found to have violated certain competition-related legal sections, justifying the financial penalty.

Google, which had already deposited 10% of the penalty amount as part of the appeal process, has been given 30 days to pay the remaining Rs 216 crore. The initial hefty penalty was challenged by Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc, in response to CCI's directive to stop unfair practices and address anti-competitive issues.

(With inputs from agencies.)