The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to establish a regulatory framework that ensures ride-hailing apps are accessible for persons with disabilities (PwD) before their launch.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has four weeks to submit an affidavit on this matter, with the next hearing set for August 13.

Justice Sachin Datta warned that if MoRTH fails to comply, the joint secretary will be required to appear in court. This directive follows a recent request for senior ministry officials to explain accessibility-related concerns.

The case arose from a writ petition filed in September 2024 by accessibility activist Amar Jain and visually impaired banker Dipto Ghosh Choudhary against the ride-hailing company Rapido.

The petitioners claimed that the Rapido app was not inclusive, citing its lack of compatibility with screen-reading software used by PwD. Rapido acknowledged these accessibility issues and committed to updating its platform in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Recent Rapido developments