Initially, NRAI was a part of the confidentiality ring, which reportedly grants access to sensitive and confidential information to people, who are appointed by the parties at the time of proceedings before the competition watchdog.
As per reports, the CCI introduced this concept in April 2022 to provide corporates with the comfort to share commercial information with the competition watchdog.
After hearing the matter, Justice Sanjeev Narula on Wednesday listed the case for the next hearing on January 21, 2025, Bar and Bench reported.
Advocate Abir Roy, who appeared for NRAI, contended before the High Court that the Director General report has come and “we have to file our objections to it.”
However, it was stated that it would not be possible it if they were not granted access to the “confidential documents filed by Swiggy.”
Swiggy and CCI argued in the court that the plea filed by NRAI was against regulations on confidentiality rings, the report said.
During the hearing, Roy requested to hear the case at the earliest date possible, since the deadline to file objections was fast approaching. However, the court adjourned the matter until January next year.
Swiggy filed a plea before the Karnataka High Court in May this year, challenging CCI’s order granting access to NRAI representatives to confidential information regarding the food delivery giant.
While hearing the matter, the high court remitted it back to the CCI, asking it to decide the issue afresh, the Bar and Bench report stated.
Subsequently, the CCI passed an order and removed NRAI from the confidentiality ring. This forced the association to approach the Delhi High Court against the decision.
NRAI, in 2021, filed information alleging anti-competitive conduct by food delivery companies like Swiggy and Zomato, before the CCI.
In 2022, the CCI, through an order, observed that a prima facie case had been made out against them. As a result, it ordered the DG to investigate the allegation made by NRAI.
The DG is said to have concluded its investigation into the matter in March this year.
Meanwhile, Swiggy and Zomato even filed applications to access the confidential version of the findings in the DG probe. Apart from them, the NRAI also sought access to the confidential version of the investigation report.
