The Delhi High Court has issued notices to food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zepto, as well as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), following allegations that their mobile applications are inaccessible to visually impaired users.

The action comes in response to a petition filed by NGO Mission Accessibility, which argues that the lack of accessible features violates the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, as well as fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Justice Sachin Datta has directed the respondents to file their replies within four weeks. The matter will be heard next on May 28.

The plea, filed through advocates Sarah and Taha Bin Tasneem, and argued by Advocate Rahul Bajaj, highlights several accessibility barriers in the apps — including unlabeled interactive elements, missing product details, and the lack of compatibility with screen-reader software. The petition also raises concerns about the apps not offering features like voice-guided camera positioning, crucial for visually impaired users during transactions.

The petition asserts that the platforms have failed to comply with Sections 40 and 46 of the RPwD Act, along with Rule 15 of the RPwD Rules, 2017. Furthermore, it contends that this inaccessibility infringes fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.

It also criticizes MeitY’s alleged failure to enforce accessibility norms, stating that such inaction deepens the digital divide.

Among the reliefs sought, the petitioner has requested:

• A comprehensive accessibility audit to identify barriers;

• Implementation of digital accessibility standards;

• Integration of screen-reader compatibility and assistive features like voice-guided camera alignment;

• Mechanisms to hold non-compliant platforms accountable under Sections 89 and 90 of the RPwD Act.