Why in the News?
The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure over the inordinate 16-year delay in justice for an acid attack survivor, terming the slow pace of the case as a “mockery of the system”. The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, emphasized the need for faster trials, strict punishment, victim rehabilitation, and stronger regulation over the sale of acid. The Court also highlighted that acid attackers deserve no sympathy, and victims must not be made to suffer lifelong consequences without justice.
Background: The Gravity of Acid Violence in India
Acid attacks are among the most brutal gender-based crimes, leaving survivors with:
- Permanent disfigurement and disability
- Long-term trauma and social exclusion
- Economic vulnerability due to medical costs and job loss
Despite legal reforms, the crime continues with alarming frequency.
Legal Framework Governing Acid Attacks
| Provision / Act | Purpose | Issue in Implementation |
| IPC Section 326A & 326B | Criminalises acid attack & attempt, mandates stringent punishment | Conviction delays, low enforcement |
| Poison Act, 1919 (Regulated sale of corrosive substances) | Restricts acid availability | Weak monitoring and compliance |
| Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 | Recognises acid attack victims as persons with disabilities | Lack of accessibility and support provisions |
| BNS (new criminal code) alignment | Modernising legal response | Still evolving in enforcement |
Though laws exist on paper, implementation remains patchy.
Supreme Court’s Recent Directions & Observations
- Courts must expedite acid attack trials
- No leniency should be shown to perpetrators
- Recognised the prolonged trial (16 years) as justice denial
- Sought data on pending acid attack cases from High Courts
- Proposed special courts for fast-tracking cases
- Called for strict action against:
- Illegal sale of acid
- Lax monitoring by authorities
It seeks systemic accountability, not symbolic action.
Status of Acid Attack Incidents in India
- 207 incidents reported in 2023 (NCRB data)
- West Bengal: Highest (57 cases)
- Uttar Pradesh: Second highest (31 cases)
- True numbers likely higher due to underreporting
Acid violence remains a persistent and under-policed crime.
Victim Rehabilitation: A Critical Gap
Despite SC directives in Laxmi vs Union of India (2013), survivors continue to face:
- Delayed compensation
- Limited access to reconstructive surgeries
- Stigma impacting education and employment
- Lack of counselling and social reintegration services
Civil society groups such as Brave Souls provide major support, highlighting state inadequacy.
Persistent Challenges
- Easy acid availability in local markets
- Slow trials, high pendency, low conviction rates
- Inadequate police investigation and evidence gathering
- Compensation inconsistencies across states
- Survivors lacking long-term medical coverage
These failures worsen lifelong suffering for victims.
What Needs Strengthening — Way Forward
- Dedicated fast-track courts at district level
- Universal medical insurance + free reconstructive surgeries
- Uniform compensation disbursement within fixed timelines
- Robust monitoring of acid sale and distribution
- Skill development & employment opportunities for survivors
- Accountability for compliance by local administration
- Mass awareness to combat misogyny and revenge culture
A victim-centric justice approach is the only way forward.
Conclusion
Acid violence is not just a crime — it is a permanent assault on dignity and life. Despite legal reforms and Supreme Court vigilance, implementation failures continue to punish victims instead of perpetrators. Ensuring swift justice, effective rehabilitation, and strict regulation can protect survivors from being “marked for life” by systemic neglect. The State must guarantee that recovery is not a lifelong battle, but a right supported with dignity and compassion.
Source: Marked for life: On acid attack survivors – The Hindu
