The Delhi High Court has directed expeditious steps to ensure that OTT platform ZEE5 is compliant with accessibility guidelines which ensure that the streaming services can be enjoyed by everyone, including persons with disabilities.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice on a petition raising concerns regarding the barriers faced by persons with disabilities while accessing Zee5 platform.

The plea has been filed by lawyer Rahul Bajaj seeking directions to make ZEE5 platform accessible across its mobile applications, website, smart television applications and desktop software.

Bajaj has sought a detailed accessibility audit by a government-empanelled accessibility auditor to identify the barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

He has also sought directions to conduct mandatory sensitisation and training of platform's developers, designers and customer-support teams on accessibility.

The Court issued notice and granted time to the respondents for filing counter affidavit within two weeks. While doing so, the Court directed Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited⁠ to make the platform compliant with the relevant accessibility guidelines.

“The learned counsel for respondent no. 1 is requested to take steps to make the platform of the respondent no. 2 compliant with the relevant guidelines viz. The BIS Standard IS 17802:20222 (Part 1: Requirements and Part 2: Conformance); “Accessibility for the ICT products and services”,” Justice Sharma ordered.

The Court also said that expeditious steps be taken by the concerned respondents to ensure compliance of the order.

The matter will now be heard on September 17.

Title: RAHUL BAJAJ v. ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LIMITED & ORS

Click here to read order