The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over the delay by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) in finalizing guidelines mandating accessibility features for persons with disabilities on OTT platforms.
The bench of Justice Sachin Datta noted that although the Ministry had earlier informed the court (in May 2025) about the preparation of draft guidelines, little progress had been made in finalizing or implementing them. The court directed the Ministry to file a status report within four weeks, warning that if delays continued, the concerned Joint Secretary of the Ministry would be required to join proceedings virtually on the next date of hearing.
A range of directions on the need to ensure accessibility of OTT content for persons with disabilities.
First, the court has directed the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to expedite the process for the formulation of accessibility guidelines that mandate OTT accessibility, failing which the Joint Secretary concerned has been directed to be personally present on the next date of hearing.
Second, the Court has also agreed to consider, on the next date of hearing, the plea for preventing OTT platforms from broadcasting any new content that does not have the requisite accessibility features.
Third, the Court has directed Super Cassettes and Jio Studios to ensure that all their future releases are accompanied by accessibility features.
The case, filed by petitioners Akshat Baldwa and another, highlights the lack of disabled-friendly accessibility features such as subtitles, closed captions, and audio descriptions in digital content, despite obligations under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
The petitioners also sought an interdiction on OTT platforms releasing fresh content without accessibility features, citing similar directions issued in 2023 in another case. The High Court said this request would be considered in the next hearing.
Meanwhile, respondents Nos. 5 and 7—represented through counsel—submitted that they had already complied with accessibility requirements for the content pointed out by the petitioners. On their request, the court deleted their names from the array of parties, while clarifying that they must continue to ensure accessibility compliance in all future releases.
The matter will now be heard on October 16, 2025.
Case Details
Case Title: Akshat Baldwa & Anr. Versus Maddock Films Private Limited And Ors.
Case No.: W.P.(C) 16802/2024 and CM APPLs.6363/2025, 10812/2025
Date:Â 01.09.2025
Counsel For Petitioner: Mr. Rahul Bajaj, Mr. Amritesh Mishra, Ms. Sarah, Mr. Amar Jain and Ms. Shehreen
Counsel For Respondent: Vedansh Anand, GP
