Delhi HC seeks ZEE's reply over ZEE5 inaccessibility for blind users during FIFA World Cup

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) on a petition alleging that its over-the-top (OTT) platform, ZEE5, is inaccessible to persons with visual disabilities. The petition claims that this inaccessibility prevents blind and low-vision users from independently accessing digital content, including live coverage of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, hearing the petition filed by disability rights lawyer Rahul Bajaj on July 2, also directed the Central government to submit its response within two weeks.

The petition, filed through advocates Amritesh Mishra, Sarah, and Amar Jain, contends that Mr. Bajaj was unable to independently access ZEE5 to follow the FIFA World Cup 2026, for which the platform holds exclusive streaming rights in India. It argues that the ZEE5 platform — both its app and website — is inaccessible to individuals who are blind or have low vision and rely on screen-reader technologies such as TalkBack, VoiceOver, and Voice Assistant.

“Suffice it to say that, at present, all digital platforms operating in the Indian market are under a continuing statutory obligation to ensure that they are accessible for persons with disabilities,” the plea states. It adds that “ZEE5 platform is inaccessible at the very threshold: even purchasing a subscription is a serious challenge on account of unlabelled buttons and an otherwise inaccessible interface, which cannot be meaningfully navigated using a screen reader”.

“Even where a subscription is somehow obtained, the platform suffers from pervasive barriers – unlabelled or wrongly labelled controls, unstable focus and automatic cursor movement, an inaccessible media player, poor content discovery and dynamic interface behaviour that disrupts assistive technology,” the plea further notes.

The petition argues that the Supreme Court, in the case of Pragya Prasun v. Union of India, held that the right to digital access is an integral facet of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The plea clarifies that the petitioner does not demand any modification to the broadcast of the FIFA World Cup itself; he is satisfied with the existing audio commentary. His grievance is that the platform is inaccessible, such that a blind user cannot independently access the commentary at all.

The court will hear the matter next after the responses are filed.