Supreme Court to fast-track investigation of Amazon and Flipkart

In India, the Competition Commission has formally requested that the Supreme Court expedite its hearings regarding legal challenges to its investigation into Amazon and Walmart's Flipkart. These challenges, filed by various parties including Samsung and Vivo, were brought before Indian high courts with the intention of obstructing the ongoing antitrust probe initiated by the commission. Recently, on December 3, 2024, the commission filed this request, emphasizing the urgency of a timely resolution to maintain the integrity of their investigation. The commission previously concluded in August that both Amazon and Flipkart had violated India's antitrust laws by offering preferential treatment to certain sellers on their platforms. This led to a significant backlash, particularly from smaller retailers who claimed that they were adversely affected by the practices of these giants. Since the commission's findings were released, numerous lawsuits have been initiated against the investigation, further complicating the legal landscape. The commission has warned that allowing these lawsuits to proceed could have serious implications and disrupt their ability to carry out investigations effectively. As Amazon and Flipkart continue to face increasing scrutiny over their market positions and business practices, it remains to be seen how these legal challenges will impact their operations in the Indian market moving forward.