The Competition Commission of India (CCI) dismissed a complaint against Eternal Ltd., formerly Zomato Ltd., regarding its platform fees and pricing practices. The order, dated July 23, 2026, found no prima facie violation of the Competition Act, closing the case under Section 26(2). The complaint alleged unfair fees and forced price increases on restaurants, but the CCI rejected these claims and the request for interim relief to halt fee collection, according to medianama.com.
The complaint was filed by R. Suresh, who cited a specific order from April 13, 2026, where he purchased Ghee Pongal through Zomato at Rs 198, including delivery and platform fees, while the same item cost Rs 105 directly from the restaurant. Suresh argued that Zomato’s commission of around 33% compelled restaurants to raise prices and invest in advertisements to maintain visibility on the platform. The CCI reviewed these allegations but found no evidence of abuse of dominance or unfair pricing practices.
This ruling underscores the regulatory scrutiny faced by food delivery platforms in India amid concerns over commission rates and pricing transparency. Zomato, a major player in the sector, has often been criticized for its fee structure, which some restaurants claim affects their profitability. The CCI’s decision aligns with previous assessments that have not found sufficient grounds to penalize such platforms under the Competition Act, reflecting the complex balance between platform economics and market fairness.
The CCI’s order dated July 23, 2026, formally closes the complaint against Zomato, allowing the company to continue its current fee and pricing model without immediate regulatory intervention. This decision may influence future complaints and regulatory approaches to platform fees in India’s food delivery market.