Inform On Framework Ensuring Movie Ticket Booking Platforms Provide Accessibility Features For Disabled Persons: Delhi HC To IT Ministry

Justice Sachin Datta was considering a petition filed by Rahul Bajaj, concerning the accessibility features for PwDs in relation to 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' film.

The petitioner argued that he is entitled to access the film on an equal footing with able-bodied individuals. He invoked Section 42(ii) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 which mandates the appropriate Government to take measures to ensure that persons with disability are able to access electronic media.

The petitioner contended that online ticket booking platforms do not display information about films with accessibility features, preventing informed decision-making by persons with disabilities.

He submitted that while Mythri Movie Makers in their 'X' post indicated that the producer of the film had introduced accessibility features for persons with visual and hearing impairment, this initiative is limited to only three languages despite the multilingual release of the film.

He also submitted that 'BookMyShow', one of the leading ticket-booking platforms, also does not have the accessibility features to facilitate independent booking by PwDs.

The court thereafter directed respondent no. 3 (Central Board of Film Certification)  to file an affidavit "specifically setting out the steps being taken to ensure that accessibility features are duly published at the time of certification of films".

It further said, "Let the respondent no.4 (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also file an affidavit setting out the regulatory framework for ensuring that the ticket booking platforms duly contain and disseminate information about accessibility features so as to ensure informed decision making by persons with disabilities". 

Meanwhile the counsel appearing for respondent no.2 (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) sought time to file an affidavit to place on record the concerned regulation which prescribes the accessibility features that are mandatorily required to be complied by the theatres.

The court further directed respondent no. 5, ticket booking platform–BookMyShow to file an affidavit regarding the "accessibility features" available on its platform.

The Court kept the matter for further hearing on May 8.

Case title: Rahul Bajaj vs. Mythri Movie Makers And Ors (W.P.(C) 16833/2024)