Acid Attacks in India

Acid attack in India: a 17-year-old girl was on Wednesday attacked with an acid-like substance in Delhi’s Dwarka.

Three attackers recently attacked a girl in Delhi’s Dwarka with an acid-like material, bringing attention to the horrible crime of acid attacks and the accessibility of caustic substances.
While the victim has suffered 8% burns and disfigured the face and neck area, the accused have been arrested by Delhi police.
The incident has again brought back to focus the heinous crime of acid attacks and the easy availability of corrosive substances.

Background
- Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that 150 of these cases were documented in 2019, 105 in 2020, and 102 in 2021.
- In addition, nearly 50% of all cases in the nation each year are mainly concentrated in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
- In 2021, the percentage of acid assaults that resulted in charges was 89%.
- In addition, the percentage of convictions was 20%.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) advised all states to speed up prosecution in acid attack cases to achieve prompt justice.

Firstly, acid attacks were not considered separate offences until 2013.
However, acid attacks were given their section (326A) of the IPC.
And rendered punishable by a fine and a minimum sentence of 10 years in jail, which can be increased to life.
Furthermore, the law also specifies penalties for failing to treat victims or for police personnel who refuse to file an FIR.
Abrogation of duty by a police officer is penalised by up to two years in prison.
Furthermore, refusal of treatment is punishable by up to a year in jail.

In 2013, the SC enacted an order regulating the trade of caustic substances after taking notice of acid attacks.
As a result, the MHA created the Model Poisons Possession and Sale Rules, 2013, following The Poisons Act of 1919, and issued an advisory to all states on how to govern acid sales.
- The MHA’s guidelines and the model rules state that over-the-counter acid sales are prohibited unless the vendor keeps a logbook or record.
- A photo ID showing the buyer’s age above 18 must also be presented before the deal may proceed.
- Acid must be kept and stored in educational facilities, research facilities, hospitals, etc., to keep track of its use.

To ensure that the concerned State Government/UT pays acid attack victims a minimum of Rs. 3 lakhs in compensation.
To offer free medical care to acid attack victims at any hospital, whether public or private.
To reserve 1-2 beds in private hospitals to care for acid attack victims from poor backgrounds.
To include victims in social integration programmes, for which NGOs might receive funding to handle their rehabilitation needs.

Firstly, regulating the sale of acid mostly aids in finding the accused but not so much in prevention.
Society will always hold the solution to this issue.
In addition, there needs to be increased awareness.
Finally, parents need to instil in their kids the value of limits and consent.

Pic Courtesy: India Today

Content Source: Indian Express