Apple Inc. Files Plea in Delhi High Court to Pause CCI Proceedings

In an antitrust lawsuit involving allegations of abuse of power in the apps marketplace area, Apple, creator of the iPhone, allegedly requested the Delhi High Court (HC) to prevent the Competition Commission of India (CCI) from setting a final hearing. Apple allegedly accused the watchdog of going beyond by requiring the tech corporation to reveal its financials in relation to the issue, according to media reports citing court records dated April 24.

The iPhone maker characterised the decision of the watchdog to schedule a final hearing in the matter as an escalation in its efforts to usurp the Hon'ble Court's jurisdiction. Apple noted that it was already separately challenging India's antitrust penalty regulations before the Delhi HC. According to reports, the tech giant has now asked the Delhi High Court to step in quickly and set a hearing for May 15.

Apple Locking Horns with CCI

This latest dispute arises weeks after the tech titan still hasn't provided the CCI with the crucial financial records it has been requesting since October 2024. Reportedly, the business instead cited an independent lawsuit it had filed in the Delhi High Court against the CCI's penalty regulations. The CCI allegedly then issued a deadline for the company to provide financials and set a final hearing for May 21.

Apple has attempted to postpone this hearing. Apple sought to prevent the CCI from accessing its worldwide financial records five months ago, and now things have escalated. Sharing this information, according to the corporation, would undermine its continuing legal fight against India's new punishment system. However, in order to determine the severity of the fine, the CCI claims it needs the financial records. The penalties may reach $38 billion, according to Apple's prior claims, if worldwide income is included.

In the meantime, Apple had asked the CCI to put the matter on hold until the Delhi HC determined the punishment framework, but the CCI had already turned down their motion. According to the regulator, the corporation is causing delays in the process. Notably, Apple has a far higher risk of prosecution under India's new antitrust legislation, which allows fines of up to 10% of a company's average worldwide turnover over three years.

Apple Going Through Tough Time in India

All of these developments revolve around the antitrust lawsuit that a non-profit organisation brought against Apple in 2021. Subsequently, a number of Indian startups and Tinder's parent company, Match Group, voiced comparable worries. Following this, in 2024, the CCI said that it had investigated allegations that Apple had limited competition by compelling app developers to utilise its in-app payment mechanism.

In addition, the watchdog's opinion was that developers could not do business without Apple's App Store. So, developers are left with little option but to agree to its conditions, which include commissions of up to 30%. Apple disputes the allegations, stating that it is insignificant in comparison to Google's Android, the market leader in the nation.