New Delhi, 4 December (H.S.): The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the slow pace of trials in acid attack cases. A bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant has directed all High Courts to submit status reports on pending acid attack cases within four weeks.
During the hearing, the court suggested the establishment of special courts dedicated to expediting the trial of such cases. It also urged the central government to consider amending laws to include acid attack victims under the definition of disability in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, thereby extending them additional benefits.
The petition was filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik. Another related petition, pending before the Supreme Court, was filed by Mumbai-based NGO Acid Survivors Sahas Foundation. This petition cited the 2023 landmark judgment in Laxmi vs Union of India, which mandated free treatment for acid attack survivors at both government and private hospitals.
The court had also directed state governments to provide minimum compensation of ₹3 lakh towards care and rehabilitation.A bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna further instructed state legal service authorities to maintain comprehensive charts detailing the timelines for victims or their families to claim and receive compensation. They were also instructed to assist victims facing delays in compensation disbursal.
The petition advocates that acid attack survivors be granted status akin to persons with disabilities to avail enhanced welfare benefits.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
