Consumer protection under competition law highlighting relevant market issues under digital market

Abstract

Competition law in India strives to protect and promote competition in the market. Along with this objective, competition law also tries to protect consumer interest in different aspects. Consumers are protected under the Consumer Protection Act, Still, when competition in the market affects consumers adversely, the consumers can claim relief under the Competition Act. In the present scenario, various case laws have been adjourned by CCI on the ground that they fall within the ambit of the Consumer Protection Act and not Competition Law. Thus, it becomes necessary to understand the consumer protection aspect under the Competition law, and this article provides about the same. This paper analyses the dual purpose of competition law in protecting consumer interest and promoting competition in the market. It will help to evaluate the benefits available to the consumers in the traditional market as well as problems faced as a consequence of the development of technology with particular reference to issues about the definition of the relevant market in the digitalized world, which affects the consumers.