Taking a serious note of spurt in acid attack cases and authorities' failure to ensure the corrosive substance does not fall into "wrong hands", the Supreme Court today asked the states to implement its guidelines on free treatment and rehabilitation of the victims.
Awarding a Rs 10 lakh compensation to a Dalit girl from Bihar, whose face got burnt in one such attack, a bench of Justices M Y Eqbal and C Nagappan said these assaults were "rampant" and very "traumatising".
"We have come across many instances of acid attacks across the country. These attacks have been rampant for the simple reason that there has been no proper implementation of the regulations or control for the supply and distribution of acid. There have been many cases where the victims of acid attack are made to sit at home owing to their difficulty to work.
"These instances unveil that the State has failed to check the distribution of acid falling into the wrong hands even after many directions by this Court in this regard. Henceforth, stringent action be taken against those erring persons supplying acid without proper authorization and also the concerned authorities be made responsible for failure to keep a check on the distribution of acid," it said.
The apex court directed all the states and Union Territories to consider the plight of acid attack victims and take appropriate steps with regard to inclusion of their names in the disability list.
The court passed the order while enhancing compensation to an acid attack victim from Bihar and asked the state government to pay her an amount of Rs 10 lakh, besides providing her free treatment.
"In consideration of the severity of the victim's injury, expenditure with regard to grafting and reconstruction surgery, physical and mental pain, etc., we are of the opinion that the victim should be compensated to a tune of at least Rs 10 Lakh.
"Suffice it to say that the compensation must not only be awarded in terms of the physical injury, we have also to take note of victim's inability to lead a full life and to enjoy those amenities which is being robbed of her as a result of the acid attack. Therefore, this Court deems it proper to award a compensation of Rs 10 lakh," the bench said.
The apex court voiced its displeasure over the fact that
only 17 states have been notified of the Victim Compensation Scheme, out of which 7 states and 4 Union territories have not initiated it.
"Even in those states where the compensation scheme has been implemented a meagre compensation ranging between Rs 25,000 and Rs 2 lakhs is provided for medical care.
"And many states have not provided any compensation for rehabilitation at all. In the present case, the government of Bihar has fixed a pitiable amount of Rs 25,000/- for the victim of acid attack," it said.
The court had earlier come to the aid of acid attack survivors by issuing directions including an order to all private hospitals across the country to provide free treatment, including medicines and expensive reconstruction surgeries, to such victims.
It had asked all state governments and Union Territories to "take up the matter with private hospitals" to ensure acid attack victims are attended to immediately and adequately.
The hospitals, where such victims are rushed after the incident, would have to provide a certificate stating that the person was an acid attack victim and the document would enable the person access free treatment, including surgeries, at a later stage, it had directed.
On the banning of off-the-counter acid sale across the country, it had asked all states and UTs to notify acid as a "scheduled substance" to stop its unregulated sale.
The court had also said its order should be sent to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, who in turn, would ensure that it reached district magistrates for compliance and directed them to publicise it to ensure awareness among the people.
