With acid attacks on the rise and no mechanism still in place to regulate its availability in retail, the Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the Centre’s seriousness to address the issue despite giving assurance, almost three months ago, to frame a scheme in this regard.
Close on the heels of the tragic incident in Mumbai where a young girl from Delhi was attacked with acid which resulted in her death, the bench of Justices RM lodha and SJ Mukhopadhaya remarked, “Nobody can close their eyes to such incidents, especially in a city like Mumbai…We can understand if they are stray incidents. But these incidents are happening frequently.” Terming such attacks as most tragic and unfortunate, the bench wished to know the action taken by the Centre since its order passed on April 16, 2013.
Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising who replaced Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran in the matter informed about a draft scheme prepared by the Centre. However, she was clueless about the States being on board. This was crucial since it is the States which have to implement the scheme. The ASG prayed for further time to seek instructions.
In its order, the bench noted, “More than two months and three weeks have passed but no compliance report of our order of April 16, 2013 has been placed by the Central Government nor any draft scheme is available for consideration before the court.”
It rebuked the Centre for making light of its concern. “With what heavy heart this court had passed orders and the seriousness of the Government is simply not seen,” it said. Blaming the Government for acting at leisure pace, it added, “You are seeking time when people are dying due to acid attacks. Think of the girls who suffer every day.”
It was on an acid attack victim’s petition that the court had initiated steps to remedy the plight of persons who faced such crimes. Advocate Aparna Bhatt who represented the petitioner sought a blanket ban on sale of acid across counter, but the court felt it was not enforceable. The bench accepted that acid attack was the “worst” form of crime and for those who survive, it’s more traumatic.
The bench posted the matter on July 16 by when the Centre was directed to present the draft scheme acceptable to all the States and Union Territories failing which the court may pass orders.