The Supreme Court of India observed on May 4 that punishments for acid attacks are inadequate and ruled that survivors who suffer internal injuries, even without external disfigurement, fall under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Central government to amend the Schedule in the Act, which currently excludes such victims from receiving associated benefits.

The existing Schedule defines acid attack victims as those disfigured due to violent assaults involving acid or similar corrosive substances. However, the bench noted this definition does not cover cases where such substances are forcibly administered. The court stated, “We will appreciate it if the deemed amendment is notified. Post the matter after two weeks.”

The apex court further asserted that individuals selling acid illegally should be held accountable and made vicariously liable in acid attack cases. The court was hearing a petition seeking protection for victims forcibly administered acid or without external bodily injuries.

During the hearing, the bench suggested that perpetrators should be deprived of their assets, asking, “Why don’t the assets of the attacker also be attached, including a share in the coparcenary or Joint Hindu family party. We talk about self dignity etc… why should the accused not suffer?”

The court also noted an “alarming increase” in the number and brutality of acid-attack cases, with the Chief Justice stating to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, “The alarming increase in cases is itself a serious issue of consideration that we should have probably brought a more robust mechanism to prevent this….”