New Delhi: The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has refused to grant interim relief to Google in the matter of Rs 936.44 crore fine imposed on it by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). CCI imposed this fine on Google for abusing its dominant position with respect to Play Store policies. The NCLAT directed Google to deposit 10 per cent of the fine in its registry within the next four weeks. A two-judge bench of the Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday issued notice to the CCI and other respondents.

Now further hearing on the matter will be held on 17 April 2023. Last week too, the appellate tribunal had directed Google to pay 10 per cent of the Rs 1,337.76 crore fine imposed on it by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The NCLAT bench had allowed Google’s plea against the penalty order of CCI but refused to immediately stay the implementation of the penalty, saying it would pass an order only after hearing other parties.

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The CCI in October, through two orders passed in less than a week, imposed a fine of over Rs 2,200 crore on Google. On October 25, the CCI imposed a fine of Rs 936.44 crore on Google for abusing its dominant position in Play Store policies.

Apart from the fine, the CCI had said that Google should not restrict app developers from using any third party billing/payment processing services for app purchases. Earlier, the regulator had on October 20 imposed a fine of Rs 1,337.76 crore on Google for abusing its dominant position in multiple markets with respect to Android mobile devices. (agency)