Meta Disputes CCI Penalty, Denies Blocking Market Access

 

Meta argues before NCLAT that CCI ruling is based on hypothetical scenarios, not actual conduct.

Meta has asserted that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) failed to establish any conduct that restricted market access to rivals, as it contested a penalty of ₹213.14 crore before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). The tech giant argued that the CCI’s findings were based on hypothetical scenarios rather than demonstrable actions.

Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, representing Meta, told the NCLAT that the CCI had “erroneously” defined the relevant market and had not identified any specific conduct by Meta that resulted in or could result in denying market access to competitors.

According to Meta, the regulator’s case rests on predictions of potential future behavior rather than evidence of anti-competitive practices. The company urged the appellate tribunal to set aside the penalty, emphasizing the need for regulatory findings to be grounded in actual market conduct.

The NCLAT is currently hearing Meta’s appeal and is expected to review whether the CCI’s assessment meets the required legal and evidentiary standards for proving anti-competitive behavior.