NCLAT asks CCI to probe Flipkart over unfair practices

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Wednesday asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to initiate a probe against e-commerce major Flipkart for alleged use of its dominant position for unfair practices.

NCLAT set aside the CCI’s 2018 order whereby the latter had said that Flipkart and Amazon are not dominant online marketplaces in the country.

The All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) had alleged abuse of market dominance against Flipkart India Pvt Ltd. The vendors’ body was of the view that Flipkart provided preferential treatment to certain sellers.

The anti-trust regulator in its November 6, 2018 order had said: “Flipkart India is not dominant in the relevant market of services provided by online marketplace platforms for selling goods in India therefore, the issue of abuse of dominant position does not arise.”