Delhi High Court Seeks ZEE’s Response Over FIFA World Cup Streaming Accessibility

The Delhi High Court has sought a response from ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited on a petition filed by disability rights expert and visually disabled lawyer Rahul Bajaj. The plea concerns accessibility barriers on ZEE5, which holds exclusive streaming rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued notice to ZEE and asked the broadcaster to take steps towards complying with applicable Indian accessibility standards. The petition claims that blind and low-vision viewers cannot independently access or use several important features available on the ZEE5 platform.

In its order dated July 2, the Court referred to standards governing accessibility for information and communication technology products and services. It stated:

“The learned counsel for respondent no. 1 [ZEE] 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'”.

Bajaj submitted that the FIFA World Cup is an event of significant public interest and that persons with disabilities should be able to follow the tournament on equal terms. He purchased a ZEE5 subscription at the beginning of the competition but allegedly required assistance from others to complete the process.

According to the petition, multiple accessibility barriers have prevented Bajaj from independently watching FIFA World Cup matches through the platform. The plea further alleges that these difficulties affect an entire group of blind and low-vision users who depend on assistive technologies such as screen readers.

“An entire class of blind and low vision users are suffering due to the violation of the continuing statutory obligation upon Respondent No. 1 [ZEE] to ensure that its platform is accessible for persons with visual disabilities,” the petition states.

The petitioner has argued that the alleged inaccessibility violates constitutional guarantees as well as protections available under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He also claimed that a legal notice was earlier issued to ZEE, but the company did not accept the obligations raised by him.

Bajaj has requested the Court to direct ZEE to conduct a detailed accessibility audit through a government-empanelled auditor. He has also sought time-bound measures to make ZEE5 independently operable through screen-reader technology and compliant with applicable Indian accessibility requirements.

The petition further seeks permanent accessibility compliance, publication of an Accessibility Conformance Report and mandatory training for the platform’s developers, designers and customer-support teams. The Delhi High Court will hear the matter next on September 17, while the FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to conclude on July 19.