The Supreme Court reviewed a 16-year-old pending case of survivors who were forced to drink acid, after a petitioner—herself an acid attack survivor who now works for such victims—brought their condition to the Court’s attention. The bench expressed shock over the cruelty and state inaction, and will hear the matter again after six weeks.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday heard a case involving an acid-attack survivor whose own trial has been pending for 16 years.
The petitioner, who now helps other survivors who were forced to drink acid, informed the Court about their terrible physical condition.
The petitioner said,
“They were very happy to know that someone cares when I went and told them after the last hearing. They are in a bad condition with extremely less weight and hemoglobin.”
Chief Justice Surya Kant showed strong concern over the long delays and said that the Court wanted all States to report on similar cases where trials were stuck or police had failed to act.
The CJI said,
“We have called all the states here. You can also bring to our notice where cases of acid ingestion has happened and trail is pending or Police did not take any action.”
The Court also discussed compensation for survivors, pointing out how justice gets delayed for years in such cases.
“By the time the accused gets convicted and penalty is charged it would be too late for the survivor.”
Supporting the concern, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the seriousness of the crime cannot be ignored, adding,
“I am sorry to say that they might not even survive by then. Being fed acid is horrendous.”
The Supreme Court also noted the severe physical and psychological trauma suffered by survivors. The bench remarked,
“All the internal organs gets affected. These people hamper the rule of law.”
The petitioner’s counsel also explained that most such incidents happen inside homes and that victims face threats, making it difficult for them to give statements freely.
“Most of the time its case of domestic violence. They are threatened to give statement in favour of the accused or be thrown out on the street so it becomes a matter of survival for them.”
The Supreme Court has decided that the matter will be heard again after six weeks.
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