Is FIFA world cup streaming accessible to visually disabled persons? Delhi HC seeks broadcaster ZEE's response

The Delhi High Court has sought the response of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited to a plea raising concerns that the online stream of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in India, which is exclusively broadcast on ZEE 5, is not accessible to persons with visual disabilities.

ZEE had secured exclusive rights to broadcast FIFA World Cup 2026 in India.

A visually disabled lawyer and disability rights expert, Rahul Bajaj, has now approached the High Court seeking measures to ensure that the broadcast is accessible to persons with disabilities as well.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma has issued notice to ZEE in the matter. The Court also directed ZEE to comply with relevant Indian Standards that lay down parameters for digital accessibility.

"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'", the July 2 order stated.

Bajaj's petition states that the FIFA World Cup is of considerable public interest and he was keen on following the FIFA World Cup on equal terms along with able-bodied persons.

Towards this goal, Bajaj states that he purchased the subscription to Zee5 platform at the start of the tournament. Bajaj states that he could purchase the subscription only with help from others.

However, a range of accessibility barriers on ZEE 5 platform has made it impossible for him to view the FIFA matches on the Over The Top (OTT) platform.

"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.

Such inaccessibility is violative of his fundamental rights under the Indian Constitution and rights under Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, the plea adds.

Bajaj also said that he had earlier issued a legal notice to ZEE, but it refused to acknowledge its obligations.

Bajaj, therefore, approached the Court for relief. He has urged the Court to issue the following directions:

1. To submit a detailed accessibility audit report, prepared by a government-empanelled accessibility auditor, identifying all existing barriers faced by persons with disabilities on the ZEE5 platform; 

2. To take steps to render the ZEE5 platform fully compliant with Indian accessiblity standards and operable independently through screen-reader assistive technology within a time-bound schedule;

3. To ensure that the ZEE5 platform continues to remain accessible to persons with disabilities during the lifetime of its operations; and

4. To display, on an ongoing and permanent basis, an Accessibility Conformance Report on the ZEE5 and to conduct mandatory sensitisation and training of its developers, designers and customer-support teams on accessibility.

The next date of hearing is September 17. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will conclude on July 19.

Advocates Amritesh Mishra, Sarah and Amar Jain appeared for Bajaj.

Senior panel counsel Neeraj Dubey appeared for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

[Read order]