The Karnataka High Court on February 2 granted interim relief to Flipkart, staying the recovery of a ₹10 lakh penalty imposed by the Central Consumer Protection Authority for alleged violations relating to the online sale of walkie talkies.
The writ petition was heard by Justice BM Shyam Prasad, who passed the order after recording submissions made on behalf of the e commerce platform.
Court Records Compliance and Jurisdictional Objection
During the hearing, Senior Advocate GS Kannur, appearing for Flipkart, submitted that the platform had already complied with the regulator’s directions. The Court recorded the submission in clear terms:
“When queried, Sri G S Kannur, the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, submits [i] that there is compliance with the direction to take off the concerned products for sale from the petitioner’s website and [ii] that the petitioner’s grievance is with the assumption of jurisdiction notwithstanding the fact that the responsibility of compliances would not be on the intermediaries such as a petitioner but on the retailers who are listed on the petitioner’s website.”
Flipkart’s principal challenge before the High Court is that the CCPA acted beyond its statutory remit by proceeding against an intermediary, despite the consumer protection framework placing compliance obligations on sellers rather than marketplace platforms.
Interim Stay on Penalty and Self Audit Direction
After considering the submissions, the High Court granted interim protection to Flipkart. The operative portion of the order states:
“In consideration thereof, the interim order is granted staying the direction of payment of penalty of Rs.10,00,000/- until the next date of hearing, and consequentially, the further direction to the petitioner for periodical self audit is also stayed for the present.”
The Court also directed Shanthi Bhushan H, Deputy Solicitor General of India, to accept notice on behalf of the respondents. The petition has been directed to be re listed on February 11.
Background of the CCPA Action
In January 2026, the Central Consumer Protection Authority imposed penalties of ₹10 lakh each on Flipkart and Meta Platforms, alleging that both platforms permitted the sale of walkie-talkies without disclosures relating to operating frequency, licensing requirements and Equipment Type Approval certification.
The Authority held that such omissions amounted to misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Case Details
- Case Title: Flipkart Internet Private Limited vs Central Consumer Protection Authority and Another
- Writ Petition: WP No. 3046 of 2026 (GM RES)
- Court: Karnataka High Court at Bengaluru
- Bench: Justice BM Shyam Prasad
- Date of Order: 2 February 2026
- Next Date of Hearing: 11 February 2026
Parties
- Petitioner: Flipkart Internet Private Limited
- Respondents: Central Consumer Protection Authority and Union of India
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