Amazon India tries to quash anti-competition investigation at Karnataka high court

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Feb 13, 2020

E-commerce giant Amazon India attended a hearing at the Karnataka high court on February 12, and stated that there is no evidence to warrant an anti-competition investigation by the Competition Commission of India.

 
Amazon India argued its innocence against allegations of predatory pricing and preferential treatment to select sellers at a Karnataka high court hearing on Wednesday, TNN reported. The hearing took place as Amazon India is attempting to prevent the CCI from investigating its business, arguing that such an investigation would harm its business and is unnecessary.
 
“There must be a prima facie finding with adverse effects on competition... [it] would be essential and mandatory before CCI could order such an investigation,” Amazon’s advocate said at the hearing, TNN reported.

Small and medium-sized traders’ body the Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh filed the anti-competition case against Amazon India at the Karnataka high court, which led the CCI to plan a probe. The Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh has also filed similar cases at the Delhi high court (which has been dismissed) and at the Rajasthan high court (which is pending), Amazon stated at the hearing.
 
Amazon India also used the hearing to highlight the initiatives it runs to help small businesses, such as doorstep grocery delivery, which it argues increases competition. The Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh’s lawyer, however, questioned why Amazon would not want an investigation if it had nothing to hide.
 
The hearing will continue on Thursday when the high court is expected to give an order on the ‘interim stay’ on the probe.