Supreme Court Condemns 16-Year Justice Delay in Acid Attack Case, Orders Protection for Forced Acid Consumption Victims

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval on Thursday regarding an acid attack survivor's plea for justice, which has remained unresolved for 16 years after the horrific assault. The survivor also appealed for assistance for other women victims, including those forced to consume acid, under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant instructed the Delhi court handling the case - involving Shahin Malik from the Brave Souls Foundation - to conduct daily hearings. The court labeled the prolonged trial "a shame... a mockery of the system" and emphasized that perpetrators of acid attacks deserve no leniency under the law.

Regarding the appeal to protect women compelled to drink acid - who currently lack similar legal protections according to the petitioner - the court issued a notice to the union government.

"The offence is of 2009 and the trial has not yet been completed! If the national capital cannot respond to these challenges then who will deal with it? It is a shame on the system," the court declared.

The court was addressing a petition stating that the Delhi acid attack survivor had lost confidence in the judicial system until a particular judge began hearing her case. This positive development motivated her to advocate for other women who had endured similarly brutal and inhumane assaults.

"Acid was thrown on me. I am covered under the law but many others are forced to drink acid... and they are not covered," she explained to NDTV, highlighting cases where survivors face severe long-term medical complications and physical disabilities, including inability to walk or eat. Some victims require feeding tubes to receive nutrition.

The court issued a notice to the government to consider implementing an ordinance to include such cases under existing legislation, particularly regarding medical care and compensation. Additionally, the court directed all lower courts to provide data on ongoing acid attack trials in their jurisdictions.