Parth Bajaj
On 30th April 2025, the Supreme Court of India, led by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, issued 20 directives aimed at making the digital Know Your Customer (KYC) process more accessible for persons with disabilities, particularly those suffering from facial disfigurements due to acid attacks and visual impairments. The Court recognized that the current inaccessibility of digital KYC systems violates the rights of individuals with disabilities, as platforms are often incompatible with screen readers or present information in visual formats without alternative text.
The petitioners, including acid attack survivors and individuals with total blindness, had approached the Court seeking reforms to the digital KYC process, which has become mandatory across sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and insurance. They argued that the current system excludes persons with disabilities from essential services, violating their right to equal participation and access as guaranteed under both national and international laws, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the UNCRPD.
The Court stressed that bridging the digital divide is not merely a policy choice but a constitutional obligation. It emphasized that the right to digital access is now an integral part of the right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. It also pointed out that the exclusion of persons with disabilities from digital platforms results in significant social and economic marginalization, reinforcing systemic discrimination.
In its ruling, the Court directed that all digital KYC processes must comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ensure reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. It also called for the Government and private entities to revise their digital infrastructures to make them universally accessible, thereby guaranteeing that no citizen is denied access to essential services due to their disabilities.
Case Name: Pragya Prasun vs. Union of India
Case Number: W.P.(C) No. 000289 – / 2024
Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan
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