2025 (6) TMI 599 - SCH - Law of Competition

Reduction in the quantum of penalty - principles of natural justice - HELD THAT - A very limited relief has been granted by the impugned order. All that the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal observed was that the appellant should give an opportunity to the respondents to address on the point as to whether instead of maximum penalty at the rate of 10 per cent they are entitled to get the said percentage reduced. This is the only scope of remand. This direction is in consonance with the settled principles of natural justice. Appeal dismissed.

Summary

The Supreme Court, through Hon'ble Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, dismissed the appeals filed by the appellant-Competition Commission of India. The impugned order granted a limited relief by directing the appellant to afford the respondents an opportunity to address whether the maximum penalty of 10% should be reduced. The Court emphasized that this remand "is in consonance with the settled principles of natural justice." The Court expressed surprise at the challenge to such an order and accordingly dismissed the appeals.