NCLAT Lowers Google’s Penalty to ₹216 Crore in Play Store Case

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has reduced the penalty imposed on Google to ₹216 crore in the Play Store case, providing partial relief to the tech giant.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) had earlier levied a fine of ₹936 crore on Google for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the Google Play Store ecosystem. However, after reviewing the case, the NCLAT lowered the penalty, citing certain mitigating factors.

Despite the reduction, the tribunal upheld CCI’s findings that Google engaged in anti-competitive practices by imposing restrictive policies on app developers. The ruling emphasized the need for fair competition in the app distribution market, reinforcing that Google must ensure a more open and competitive environment for developers and users.

Google is expected to respond to the ruling and may consider further legal options. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of big tech companies in India’s digital market.