By Shivli Singh.
India’s Chief Justice firmly declared the necessity for absolute zero tolerance towards acid attackers, saying such crimes are among the most horrifying acts of violence but require an intense, united response from the entire justice system.
Reiterating that acid attacks inflict lifelong physical, emotional and social scars, the CJI emphasised that those who commit this crime “deserve no sympathy” and the system needs to ensure speedy trials, severe punishments and significant rehabilitation of survivors. During the hearings, the CJI-led Bench stressed the need to bolster institutional mechanisms around cases of acid attacks, starting with an acknowledgement of survivors’ enduring vulnerabilities.
The Bench requested the Centre assess the status of survivors of acid attacks as persons with disabilities formally. If approved, this would provide a significantly broader array of services and entitlements, including reservations, work, social security and better access to welfare schemes, all of which is crucial given that survivors frequently end up with permanent disfigurement, loss of vision, reduced mobility and significant psychological trauma. Moreover, the court highlighted the statewide delay in the process of prosecuting cases over acid attacks.
The CJI’s conclusion was thus clear: for many survivors, justice is an open question; indeed, such delays make their suffering much worse and undermine confidence in the judiciary itself. To that effect, the Supreme Court instructed all High Courts to collect and submit up-to-date data on the number of trials currently pending concerning acid attacks. Such data will inform us on systemic gaps that need to be examined and whether even existing special provisions are effective or whether dedicated fast-track mechanisms are required to ensure justice can happen in a timely fashion.
In addition, the Court reiterated the need for strict enforcement of applicable existing sale regulations of acid. Although earlier measures were intended to curb abuse of authority, proper documentation and restrictions on OTC sales had all been required by previous decisions; this has proved difficult to enforce in many areas. The Court also found that lax monitoring of sales of acid was one of the fundamental aspects responsible for the continuation of such offences and that authorities needed to work towards implementation of those measures on a strict basis.
In calling for a joint federal response, the Supreme Court also focused, once again, upon accountability and mercy, demanding, on the one hand, that criminals be held accountable under the strictest laws, and, on the other, that stronger safeguards, rehabilitation alternatives and respect for survivors’ dignity be given to the victims and survivors. The message from the country’s leading court is clear: acid violence can’t be greeted with hesitation or leniency; it calls for collective resolve and systemic action.