22-May-2024 04:07 PM
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Bengaluru, May 22 (Reporter) Food delivery app Swiggy is taking the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to court over its contentious decision allowing the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) access to the app's confidential information.
It all started when NRAI accused both Swiggy and Zomato of playing foul in the food delivery scene.
Swiggy, in response, shared sensitive data with the CCI during their investigation into these allegations. However, things took a turn when the CCI permitted NRAI to peek at Swiggy's confidential details.
Swiggy isn't taking this lying down. They have filed a petition, arguing that this move is unjust and could seriously impact their operations.
Now, the Karnataka High Court is mulling over whether it can handle the case, given that it was previously handled by the CCI in Delhi.
During a brief hearing, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing Swiggy, stressed that since the CCI is a national authority, the Karnataka High Court has jurisdiction over the matter. The court will further discuss this jurisdictional question on Thursday at 2.30 pm.
But Swiggy isn't alone in this battle. The CCI has been alerted by Swiggy's legal team, and NRAI and Zomato are also in the loop.
This tussle is part of a bigger beef between restaurants and delivery apps.
NRAI has been throwing shade at Swiggy and Zomato for allegedly strong-arming restaurants, playing favourites with their cloud kitchens, and making life tough with unsatisfactory contracts and high fees.
Leading the CCI to launch their investigation. Swiggy spilled the beans during this probe, but now they are regretting it. They are worried that NRAI might spill the beans to others, hurting Swiggy's business.
Swiggy is asking the court to put a lid on it and maybe even toss out any beans that have already been spilled.
The case serves as a reminder of the messy world of online food delivery, where competition can get as heated as a spicy curry...////...