The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in response to a petition claiming that the mobile applications of food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zepto are inaccessible to persons with disabilities (PwDs), especially those with visual impairments.
Justice Sachin Datta issued the notice on April 23, asking for replies from the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Swiggy, and Zepto. The case has been listed for the next hearing on May 28.
The petition was filed by Mission Accessibility, a non-profit organisation advocating for the rights of PwDs. Advocate Rahul Bajaj appeared on behalf of the petitioner.
According to the plea, these mobile platforms have failed to meet the digital accessibility standards as required under Sections 40 and 46 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act and Rule 15 of the RPwD Rules, 2017.
"The platforms lack accessible search features, have unlabelled buttons and do not provide essential product details in an accessible format," the petition states.
Read also: Delhi High Court Slams Jail Authorities: Repeating Rejected Grounds for Parole Unacceptable
The plea argues that visually impaired users face difficulty in performing basic functions like using the search option, accessing product information, or returning items due to unresponsive or non-compatible features.
“Visually impaired users are unable to position their device cameras for returns, and the apps do not support necessary accessibility functions,” the petition notes.
The petitioner has requested the Court to direct both platforms to submit an accessibility audit report prepared by a government-approved auditor, highlighting all existing barriers in their apps.
Additionally, the petition seeks a comprehensive plan from Swiggy and Zepto to ensure that all future app updates and new features are fully accessible and meet legal standards.
“There is a need for mandatory training of developers, designers, and support teams on accessibility norms and inclusive practices,” the plea adds.
The petitioner also demands that the return and refund processes on these platforms be made accessible for visually impaired customers, and that accessibility be integrated during the initial design and development of all new digital features.
The Court will examine these concerns further during the next hearing on May 28.
Title: MISSION ACCESSlBILITY v. SWIGGY LIMITED & ORS
