With acid attacks continuing unabated, a concerned Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to be proactive in taking States on board to ensure such incidents are prevented.
Issuing fresh notice to States on a petition by NGO Parivartan Kendra to rehabilitate acid attack survivors, the Bench headed by Chief Justice RM lodha said, “It’s a pathetic situation. Every day you read about one incident.”The court will take up the matter after six weeks. With the matter coming up for the first time since the NDA Government came to power, the bench, also comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohington Nariman said, “It is laxity on your (Centre) part. Earlier, Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran took many States on board.” As Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi appeared in the matter, Court urged him to take personal initiative in the matter.
The issue of acid attack victims has engaged the attention of the Court for many years since a petition was filed by an acid attack victim laxmi. On her petition, the Court passed a detailed order on July 18, 2013 directing all states to compulsorily pay a minimum amount of Rs three lakh to each acid attack victim of which Rs one lakh should be paid within 15 days of the incident. The Court also imposed strict regulations on sale of acids requiring shop keepers to maintain stock register and record names of persons buying acids from the shop.
Almost a year after the orders were passed, the apex court was informed on Friday that the situation on ground had not changed. This was brought to the Court’s attention by an acid attack survivors association under the name Campaign and Struggle against Acid Attacks on Women (CSAAAW). The victims claimed they were not paid any compensation or rehabilitation cost and the police and government were lax in ensuring speedy trial. In most cases, they said that persons who sell acids got acquitted due to police inaction.
The bench allowed the association to join as party along with the petition and fixed the matter for hearing along with the main petition filed by laxmi.