Supreme Court Seeks Data on All Pending Acid Attack Trials After Survivor Says She Waited 16 Years for Justice

On Thursday, an acid attack victim stated in the Supreme Court that she has not received justice even 16 years after the brutal attack. She also appealed to the Supreme Court to help other women like her who were forced to drink acid. Following this, the court requested data from all high courts across the country regarding pending trials in acid attack cases.

According to reports, a bench comprising CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed all high courts to submit data on pending trials in acid attack cases. The bench was hearing a petition concerning the plight of acid attack survivors. The acid attack survivor, the petitioner, appeared before the bench. She stated, "I was attacked with acid in 2009. The trial is still ongoing. Nothing happened in this case until 2013, and the case is now being heard in Delhi's Rohini Court. The hearing is in its final stages."

During the hearing, the court expressed surprise at the long delay of over 16 years. CJI Surya Kant said, "This crime was committed in 2009, and the trial hasn't been completed yet. If the National Capital can't respond to these challenges, who will? This is a shame for the system." The CJI said that the trial in this case should be held daily. He asked the petitioner to file an application to expedite the trial.

The petitioner stated that she had lost all hope in the system until a judge named Dr. Parminder Kaur reopened the case. She explained that she is fighting her case and also working for the relief of other acid attack survivors. The petitioner also drew the court's attention to the fact that women are not only thrown with acid, but are forced to drink it. The petitioner stated that such victims suffer from serious long-term illnesses and have to rely on artificial food pipelines to survive.

To this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that such cases should be considered as disabilities as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018. To this, the CJI suggested that a proposal be made to amend the Act to specifically cover acid attack survivors. Given the gravity of these crimes and their impact on survivors, they should be heard in special courts.

The court directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to issue a notice in this regard. The SG accepted the notice. The Supreme Court also directed all High Court Registrars General to provide details of pending trials in acid attack survivor cases in their respective jurisdictions.