Acid attack victims will now get free treatment in any Government or private hospital of their choice — which will include not just first-aid but any expensive multiple-reconstructive surgery they need. Ruling this on Friday, the Supreme Court even asked all the States to publicise this decision and directed that its earlier order of fixing a minimum compensation of Rs3 lakh should be made available to every victim of acid attack without fail.
The order came from a Bench of Justices Madan B lokur and UU lalit during hearing of a PIl filed by an acid attack victim laxmi. lauding the efforts of the apex court in the past that led to introduction of a slew of amendments in law providing for a separate offence of acid attacks and a compensation scheme for victims, petitioner’s counsel Aparna Bhatt expressed concerns over some victims being denied treatment by private hospitals, well equipped to handle such cases.
Bhatt even pointed out that several victims were made to stand in queue for want of an identity card or certificate that entitled them to specialized care and benefits. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Maninder Singh submitted that issuing a certificate will be in the interest of victims. But with regard to private hospitals denying treatment, he ruled out such apprehensions pointing out that on March 14 these matters were discussed by Union Secretaries of Home and Health Ministries with their counterparts from states and UTs.
The concerned Secretaries have already been asked to have talks with private hospitals in this regard but he sought an order from Court to give it a binding nature. The Bench directed the States and the Centre to ensure that “no private hospital should refuse treatment to acid attack victims” which will include medical facility, bed, and reconstructive surgery. The hospital which first treats such victims shall also issue a certificate to entitle such victims for continuous treatment as required in such cases.
ASG pointed out that in 2014, 309 acid attack cases were registered in which 208 arrests were made. The notorious states include Uttar Pradesh (185), Madhya Pradesh (53), and Gujarat (11) while among Union Territories, Delhi alone records acid attacks, numbering 27 in a single year. The Bench directed all states to immediately notify compensation policy and ensure at least Rs three lakh is provided to each victim. While Delhi has notified a compensation scheme ranging between Rs3-7 lakh, Goa has extended the scheme of compensation upto Rs 10 lakh depending on the nature of injuries.