ACID ATTACK VICTIMS OF INDIA: JUSTICE DELAYED OR DENIED?

An acid attack is the worst form of violence against woman and is a combination of rape, abduction and torture on account of dowry put together. The reasons for acid attacks are mostly as a result of a rejection of marriage proposal or sexual advances in addition to various other trivial reasons. It is the worst form of Human Rights abuse under Article 326. It was for the first time in 2013, when the laws got amended and acid attack cases started getting registered under the criminal law. Out of a total number of cases, 35% are male victims so the issue needs to be studied from a gender perspective, while in East Pacific out of a total number of cases, 40% are male victims. The Law Commission of India in its 226th report has elaborated about the law in other countries about acid attacks. NALSA (Legal Services to Victims of Acid Attacks) scheme, 2016 provides free services to the victims for obtaining their entitlements.

1. ASTi, 2018: Acid Survivors Trust international, 2018, http://www.asti.org.uk/a-worldwide-problem.html

2. Dhar, Sujoy, 2017: Acid attacks against women in India on the rise; survivors fight back, https://www.usato-day.com/story/news/world/2017/07/27/acid-attacks-women-india-survivors-fight-back/486007001/

3. India Today, 2020: India Today Data Intelligence Unit (DIU), https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/india-saw-almost-1-500-acid-attacks-in-five-years-1636109-2020-01-12, Jan 2020

4. Indian Penal Code, 326 A: https://devgan.in/ipc/section/326B/

5. National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB): https://www.indiatoday.in/diu/story/india-saw-almost-1-500-acid-at-tacks-in-five-years-1636109-2020-01-12

6. Rozliinahussain, 2018: The Most grievous assault acid attack is common in India Why http://www.le-galserviceindia.com/legal/article-196-the-most-grievous-assault-acid-attack-is-common-in-india-why.html)

7. Wikipedia, Acid Attack: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_attack

8. Women and Child Department. 2020: Women and Child Department, 2020, Govt of India (https://women-child.maharashtra.gov.in/content/schemes/manodhairya-scheme-for-rape-victims--children-who-are-victims-of-sexual-offences-and-acid-attack-victims-women-and-children.php)