A non-public court submission made by Apple on April 24, which was reviewed by Reuters on Thursday, signals an escalating clash between the company and Indian regulators in a case where Apple claims it could incur a penalty up to $38 billion.
Since 2024, the Competition Commission of India has sought Apple’s financial data, which is essential for determining fines, following an investigation that concluded Apple had misused its market dominance. Apple has resisted this request, arguing that it has challenged the entire legal framework regarding antitrust penalties in a New Delhi court, insisting that the watchdog should wait.
After the CCI issued an ultimatum for Apple to provide its financials this month and set a final hearing for May 21, the company has appealed to the Delhi High Court for urgent intervention to pause the proceedings.
“The commission’s decision to set a final hearing is an escalation of its efforts to undermine the Hon’ble Court’s authority,” Apple stated in its court filing, requesting that the matter be heard on May 15.
Neither Apple nor the CCI responded to inquiries from Reuters.
This filing was made in reaction to the CCI’s April directive, which noted that Apple had “been afforded adequate opportunities to file” its objections to the investigation report but had “not submitted the requisite financial information.”
The case in India is just one of many antitrust challenges Apple is facing worldwide. India represents a significant market for Apple, where its iPhones currently hold a 9% market share, up from 4% two years ago, as reported by Counterpoint Research.
Apple continues to assert that it is a minor player in comparison to Google’s Android, which dominates the market in India.
