The Delhi High Court has issued notice to ICICI Bank on a petition alleging that the bank’s digital services are structurally inaccessible to visually impaired users, thereby violating their fundamental rights.

Justice Vikas Mahajan sought the bank’s response after hearing the plea filed by petitioners Anchal Bhatheja and Rahul Jain. The petitioners contended that ICICI has failed to comply with constitutional and statutory obligations relating to digital accessibility.

They submitted that ICICI’s platforms — including its Mobile Pay app, official website, and InstaBIZ business interface — lack essential accessibility features. According to the plea, screen reader tools are unable to interpret key elements like login fields and buttons, as many are not properly labelled.

Bhatheja and Jain further pointed out that basic banking functions such as adding a payee, completing transactions, or performing two-factor authentication are difficult or impossible to execute independently, particularly when assistive technologies have to be disabled to access certain features. These systemic barriers, they argued, strip visually impaired users of their autonomy and privacy, forcing them to rely on sighted individuals and exposing them to risks such as financial fraud and emotional distress.

The petition also cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in Pragya Prasun v. Union of India, in which the apex court recognized digital accessibility as part of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. Additionally, the petitioners alleged violations of Articles 14, 19, and 21, along with provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, which mandates complete digital accessibility by service providers.

The plea noted that the deadline for compliance under the amended RPwD Rules lapsed on May 10, 2025, and that ICICI Bank’s continued inaccessibility amounts to a breach of these legal obligations.

Advocates Afreen Gauri and Sarah represented the petitioners in the matter. The case will be heard next after ICICI Bank submits its response.