The Supreme Court has taken a big step regarding the victims of acid attacks. The court has asked the Central Government why people who are given acid are not being given the status of disabled? Also, the court has sought details of acid attack cases from all the high courts. The bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant has said that these cases should be heard continuously and disposed of expeditiously.
The Supreme Court has taken this step on the petition of acid attack victim Shaheen Malik. In the petition filed through lawyer Seeja Nair, the court has been told that people on whose face or body acid is poured are given the status of disabled under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, but no such status is given to those who have been made to drink acid. The internal organs including the food pipe of such victims get burnt. he lives a very difficult life
The question put before the court was that when throwing acid or giving acid is considered an equally punishable offense under the Indian Code of Justice i.e. BNS, then why people suffering physical harm due to giving acid are not given the status of disabled? On this the court immediately sought a reply from the central government. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court, said that this demand is justified. This will be considered.
During the hearing, petitioner Shaheen Malik himself addressed the bench for some time. He told that acid was poured on him in 2009. The incident took place in Panipat, Haryana. On his petition, the case was transferred to Rohini Court of Delhi in 2014, but till now the case has not been completed.
The judge was shocked to hear what the petitioner said. The Chief Justice said, ‘Even after 16 years, such a serious case has not been completed in the country’s capital. This is a joke with the entire judicial system. You apply. We will hear the case daily and give orders to settle it. Along with this, the Supreme Court sought information from all the High Courts of the country as to how many cases of acid attack victims are pending in their states. The court said that such cases should be heard continuously by forming a special court. The next hearing of the case will be after 4 weeks.