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Uber (India) Systems Private Limited v. Competition Commission Of India And Others
Factual and Procedural Background
The appeals arose from an order of the Competition Appellate Tribunal (2016 SCC OnLine Comp AT 451) directing an investigation by the Director General into alleged predatory pricing practices by a ride-hailing platform (“Uber”) in the National Capital Region (NCR). The appellants challenged that order before the Supreme Court. During the hearing, the Court was shown internal statement data for the period 1 June 2015 – 28 June 2015 indicating that Uber incurred a loss of ₹204 per trip after paying substantial incentives to drivers, allegedly with a view to exclude competitors. After considering this material, the Supreme Court decided whether interference with the Tribunal’s order was warranted.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the material placed before the Tribunal disclosed a prima facie case under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, 2002 for abuse of dominant position under Section 4.
- Consequently, whether the Supreme Court should interfere with the Tribunal’s direction to the Director General to investigate the alleged predatory pricing.
Arguments of the Parties
The opinion does not contain a detailed account of the parties' legal arguments.
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 SCC OnLine Comp AT 451 | Order directing investigation into alleged abuse of dominant position by Uber. | The Supreme Court upheld this order, finding no ground to interfere. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Court focused on two statutory elements required for an abuse of dominant position under Section 4(1): (i) the existence of a dominant position in the relevant market (here, ride-hailing services in the NCR) and (ii) abuse of that position. The financial statement presented showed Uber paying incentives that resulted in a net loss of ₹204 per trip. The Court reasoned that:
- Such sustained below-cost pricing could, prima facie, fall within Explanation (b) to Section 4—i.e., “predatory price.”
- Predatory pricing directly attracts Section 4(2)(a)(ii) (imposition of an unfair or discriminatory price).
- If established, the conduct would likely affect competitors and the market in Uber’s favour, satisfying Explanation (a)(ii) concerning “dominant position.”
Given this prima facie alignment with the statutory criteria, the Court held that the Tribunal had sufficient material to order an investigation and that appellate interference was unwarranted.
Holding and Implications
Appeals DISMISSED.
The Supreme Court affirmed the Tribunal’s directive. It further instructed the Director General to complete the investigation within six months. The decision maintains the status quo between the parties and advances the statutory inquiry but sets no new precedent beyond reaffirming the threshold for prima facie review under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act.
Rohinton Fali Nariman, J.— Having heard the lengthy arguments of Shri Dhruv Mehta, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the appellant, and Shri Raju Ramchandran, learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent, we are of the view that interference in these appeals is not called for.
2. The only reason we do so is because we were shown, as part of information that was provided, the following statement:
“23. Uber's discount and incentive offered to consumer pale in comparison with the fidelity inducing discounts offered to drivers to keep them attached on its network to the exclusion of other market players. Uber pays drivers/car owners attached on its network unreasonably high incentives over and above and in addition to the trip fare received from the passengers. A summary of the incentives provided to one fleet owner attached to Uber's network, having 4 cars, which were driven by 9 drivers is reproduced below:
Statement period 1st June to 28th June Total trips 1135 Billed to consumer (Uber's collection from consumer) Fare 2,56,187 Surge 18,621 Surcharges & tolls 23,499 2,98,307 Operator's earning (Car owner's earning) Operator's share out of consumer revenue service tax 100% 2,74,808 Surcharges & tolls reimbursed 4.94% (12,946) Others 518 Incentives received from Uber 2,30,464 Operator's net earning 5,16,343 Uber's earning Revenue share (out of fare and surge) 0% 0 Incentives paid to drivers (2,30,464) Other adjustments (518) Net earning (loss) 5,15,346 Uber's earning Revenue shares (out of fare and surge) 0% 0 Incentives paid to drivers (2,30,464) Others adjustments (518) Net earning (Loss) (2,30,982) Per trip consumer revenue 242 Per trip Uber net loss (204)
In light of the abovementioned statement, it can be seen that Uber was losing Rs 204 per trip in respect of every trip made by the cars of the fleet owners, which does not make any economic sense other than pointing to Uber's intent to eliminate competition in the market. Copies of the statements of aforesaid fleet owners along with a summary for the period 1-6-2015 to 28-6-2015 is annexed herewith as Annexure A-15 Colly.”
3. Based on this information alone, we are of the view that it would be very difficult to say that there is no prima facie case under Section 26(1) as to infringement of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002.
4. Section 4 is set out hereinbelow:
“4. Abuse of dominant position.—(1) No enterprise or group shall abuse its dominant position.
(2) There shall be an abuse of dominant position under sub-section (1), if an enterprise or a group—
(a) directly or indirectly, imposes unfair or discriminatory—
(i) condition in purchase or sale of goods or service; or
(ii) price in purchase or sale (including predatory price) of goods or service.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the unfair or discriminatory condition in purchase or sale of goods or service referred to in sub-clause (i) and unfair or discriminatory price in purchase or sale of goods (including predatory price) or service referred to in sub-clause (ii) shall not include such discriminatory conditions or prices which may be adopted to meet the competition; or
(b) limits or restricts—
(i) production of goods or provision of services or market therefor; or
(ii) technical or scientific development relating to goods or services to the prejudice of consumers; or
(c) indulges in practice or practices resulting in denial of market access in any manner; or
(d) makes conclusion of contracts subject to acceptance by other parties of supplementary obligations which, by their nature or according to commercial usage, have no connection with the subject of such contracts; or
(e) uses its dominant position in one relevant market to enter into, or protect, other relevant market.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression—
(a) “dominant position” means a position of strength, enjoyed by an enterprise, in the relevant market, in India, which enables it to—
(i) operate independently of competitive forces prevailing in the relevant market; or
(ii) affect its competitors or consumers or the relevant market in its favour;
(b) “predatory price” means the sale of goods or provision of services, at a price which is below the cost, as may be determined by regulations, of production of the goods or provision of services, with a view to reduce competition or eliminate the competitors.
(c) “group” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (b) of the Explanation to Section 5.”
5. There are two important ingredients which Section 4(1) itself refers to if there is to be an abuse of dominant position:
(1) the dominant position itself.
(2) its abuse.
“Dominant position” as defined in Explanation (a) refers to a position of strength, enjoyed by an enterprise, in the relevant market, which, in this case is the National Capital Region (NCR), which: (1) enables it to operate independently of the competitive forces prevailing; or (2) is something that would affect its competitors or the relevant market in its favour.
6. Given the allegation made, as extracted above, it is clear that if, in fact, a loss is made for trips made, Explanation (a)(ii) would prima facie be attracted inasmuch as this would certainly affect the appellant's competitors in the appellant's favour or the relevant market in its favour. Insofar as “abuse” of dominant position is concerned, under Section 4(2)(a), so long as this dominant position, whether directly or indirectly, imposes an unfair price in purchase or sale including predatory price of services, abuse of dominant position also gets attracted. Explanation (b) which defines “predatory price” means sale of services at a price which is below cost.
7. This being the case, on the facts of this case, on this ground alone, we do not think it fit to interfere with the order 2016 SCC OnLine Comp AT 451 made by the Appellate Tribunal. The appeals are dismissed with no orders as to costs.
8. The Director General is requested to complete investigation within a period of six months from today.
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