Apple has accused the Competition Commission of India (CCI) of overstepping its jurisdiction in an ongoing antitrust case in India. Here are the details.

Time is running out in the antitrust case in India

For the past few years, Apple has been fighting an antitrust investigation with the Competition Commission of India regarding allegations of abusing its dominance in the App Store. Apple has consistently denied these allegations.

The main point of contention between the two sides is how a potential penalty would be calculated.

Under India's updated competition law in 2024, penalties can be based on a company's global revenue, not just its local income. In Apple's case, this could mean a penalty of $38 billion, which Apple described as "clearly arbitrary, unconstitutional, disproportionate, and unfair."

Apple has repeatedly challenged the penalty framework supporting this calculation and has asked the Delhi High Court to declare the 2024 law illegal.

The ongoing mutual claims from Apple have begun to test the CCI's patience. As noted by 9to5Mac earlier this year:

Now, the CCI has issued its own secret ruling accusing Apple of making extension requests that hinder the timely resolution of antitrust proceedings and has threatened to advance the case.

Nearly four months later, it seems not much has changed. The ICC issued an ultimatum a few days ago, demanding the company disclose its financial information. In response, Apple is now accusing the ICC of overstepping its jurisdiction by requesting such documents.

As reported by Reuters, referring to a publicly filed court document in India on April 24:

This month, after the CCI issued an ultimatum to Apple to submit its financial information, a final hearing was scheduled for May 21, and the company urgently requested the Delhi High Court to intervene.

"The Commission's decision to schedule the final hearing represents a rise in efforts to usurp the authority of Your Honor," Apple stated in a filing requesting the court to address the matter on May 15.

Reuters reached out to Apple and the CCI for comments, but neither had responded by the time of publication.

Click this link to read the full report from Reuters.