Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has moved the Delhi High Court to challenge a recent amendment to India’s competition framework that would permit the country’s antitrust authority to levy fines based on a company’s global revenue.
The court has asked the Indian government to respond to the petition and is scheduled to continue hearing arguments on December 16.
Apple’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, told the court that the company could face penalties of up to $38 billion under the revised rules and is seeking temporary relief while the case proceeds.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has requested that Apple submit its financial records by December 8, according to the company’s legal representatives.
Representing the government, lawyer Balbir Singh argued that Apple’s plea is an attempt to stall the CCI’s ongoing investigation into the iPhone maker.
At the heart of the dispute is a recent change to India’s competition law that would allow fines to be calculated using a firm’s global turnover, rather than limiting assessments to its India-based business.