• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has urged the Supreme Court to consolidate all cases against Amazon and Flipkart.
• This move is part of an effort to expedite the ongoing antitrust probe against the e-commerce giants.
• The CCI has expressed concern over multiple proceedings, which it sees as an attempt to "scuttle the investigation.".
• The plea seeks to combine these matters, currently being heard by six different high courts, to be heard by either the Supreme Court or the Delhi High Court.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has made a significant move by urging the Supreme Court to consolidate all cases against e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart. This is part of an effort to expedite the ongoing antitrust probe. The CCI's petition seeks the consolidation of multiple proceedings filed by at least 20 e-tailers of Amazon and Flipkart at various high courts. These e-tailers allege that the two e-commerce giants are attempting to scuttle the investigation.

The matter in question pertains to a 2019 antitrust probe against Amazon and Flipkart. The probe was initiated due to allegations of the companies giving preferred treatment to some e-tailers, including Cloudtail India Pvt, Samsung India Electronics Pvt, Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd, and Appario Retail Pvt.

CCI's Stance on Multiple Proceedings

The CCI has expressed concern over the multiple proceedings initiated before the high courts. According to the CCI, these proceedings aim to 'stall' the proceedings before the regulator. The cases filed before different high courts are seen as an attempt to scuttle the well-established procedure of investigation laid down under the Act. If allowed to continue, the CCI warns that it will lead to absurdity.

The competition watchdog has pointed out that the writs filed by e-tailers are based on misconceived issues of law. This has resulted in grave prejudice to the regulator, as its enquiry has been halted. This halt is affecting the public and the e-commerce sector as a whole.

Global Scrutiny of Big Tech Companies

The CCI's move to consolidate cases against Amazon and Flipkart is reflective of the growing scrutiny of big tech companies globally. Regulators worldwide are increasingly focusing on the business practices of tech giants, particularly in the e-commerce sector. This increased scrutiny is driven by concerns about market dominance, anti-competitive practices, and the impact on consumers and smaller businesses.

The plea seeks that these matters, which are presently being heard by six different high courts across the country, be combined and heard by either the Supreme Court or the Delhi High Court. Amazon and Flipkart were yet to comment on the matter.