Supreme Court's Vigorous Stand on Acid Attack Victims

Latest Developments in Acid Attack Compensation

The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concerns over ongoing delays in compensating acid attack victims. It has highlighted the non-compliance of private hospitals in providing necessary critical treatment to survivors, despite clear judicial orders issued over a decade ago.

Judicial Oversight on Acid Attack Cases

Acid attacks have long drawn the attention of the judiciary due to their devastating effects on survivors, particularly young women. The Supreme Court began its active oversight in 2006 after the tragic case of Laxmi, who was attacked at just 15 years old. Since then, landmark directives have been issued, including:

• A minimum compensation of Rs. 3 lakh for survivors, with Rs. 1 lakh to be disbursed within 15 days of the incident.
• Provision of free and immediate medical treatment in private hospitals, covering medicines, food, and specialized care.
• A ban on the over-the-counter sale of acid to prevent misuse.
• Designation of District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) as boards for criminal injuries compensation to facilitate claims.

Despite these measures, many survivors continue to face delays and denials of critical services.

Current Supreme Court Proceedings

A recent plea by the Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation has drawn the Court's attention to the ongoing struggles of many survivors, who report not receiving full compensation or critical care from private hospitals. The Bench acknowledged that these issues have persisted despite "repeated judicial orders over the years."

During the latest hearings, several alarming revelations were shared:

• Victims in several states, including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, received only the initial Rs. 1 lakh, with no support for costly reconstructive surgeries.
• Private hospitals, contrary to Supreme Court directives, demanded upfront payment before admitting survivors.
• Incomplete compliance reports were submitted, often featuring aggregated payments instead of detailed victim-specific data.
• Eight states and five Union Territories had failed to file affidavits explaining the delays in compensation.

Supreme Court’s Directions to Authorities

The Supreme Court has issued directives to ensure greater financial accountability. The Bench has ordered State Chief Secretaries to ensure the prompt distribution of funds from state governments to State Legal Services Authorities, ultimately reaching the survivors. Recognizing the rising medical costs, the Court has also called for updated compensation amounts, asserting that the fixed sum of Rs. 3 lakh is no longer adequate.

Ensuring Compliance by Private Hospitals

Principal Health Secretaries in states and Union Territories have been tasked with ensuring that private hospitals cannot refuse free treatment, including critical and emergency care. Any such refusal could lead to criminal liability for violating Supreme Court orders.

Demand for Detailed Compensation Data

During the proceedings, NALSA reported that approximately Rs. 484 crore had been distributed as compensation between March 2024 and April 2025. However, they agreed to provide a detailed report on the state-wise and victim-wise distribution of these funds. The records will include:

• Names of victims
• Date of compensation applications
• Date of actual payments
• Comments on delays or pending claims

Implications for Victim Rights and Governance

This renewed effort by the Supreme Court emphasizes the necessity for states to fulfill their obligations towards one of the most marginalized groups in society. Acid attack survivors endure lifelong trauma, disfigurement, and stigma, making immediate medical intervention and financial support vital. By imposing personal accountability on high-level administrators and demanding transparency from NALSA, the Court is reinforcing a rights-based framework that guarantees compensation and healthcare access as entitlements rather than discretionary support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the Supreme Court's stance on acid attack victim compensation?
Answer: The Supreme Court emphasizes the need for timely compensation and medical treatment for acid attack survivors, highlighting ongoing compliance issues among states and private hospitals.

Q2. How much compensation is mandated for acid attack survivors?
Answer: The Supreme Court has mandated a minimum compensation of Rs. 3 lakh for survivors, with Rs. 1 lakh to be paid within 15 days of the incident.

Q3. What measures are in place to prevent acid misuse?
Answer: The Supreme Court has banned the over-the-counter sale of acid to mitigate its misuse and protect potential victims.

Q4. What challenges do acid attack survivors face in receiving treatment?
Answer: Survivors often encounter delays in compensation and are sometimes denied critical medical treatment by private hospitals, despite judicial orders requiring free treatment.

Q5. How is the government held accountable for victim support?
Answer: The Supreme Court has directed state authorities to ensure prompt fund allocation and compliance with compensation mandates to support acid attack survivors effectively.

UPSC Practice MCQs

Question 1: What is the minimum compensation amount mandated by the Supreme Court for acid attack survivors?
A) Rs. 1 lakh
B) Rs. 2 lakh
C) Rs. 3 lakh
D) Rs. 5 lakh
Correct Answer: C

Question 2: Which body is designated as the criminal injuries compensation board for acid attack survivors?
A) State Legal Services Authorities
B) District Legal Services Authorities
C) National Legal Services Authority
D) Supreme Court
Correct Answer: B