SC issues notices to governments for acid victims

New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Union government and Delhi administration on a PIL filed by a minor girl Laxmi, through her father, seeking directions to make suitable amendments in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to make the offence of throwing acid on girls attract more stringent punishment.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Justice Ruma Pal, Justice B N Srikrishna and Justice G P Mathur issued notices after hearing the counsel for the petitioner who also pleaded that the directions should be issued to the government for framing a rehabilitation scheme for the victims of acid attacks.

The petitioner has also prayed to the court that the offence must be made non-bailable and punishable with life imprisonment as the attacks ruin the life of the victim.

Presently the offence is non cognizable and punishable under section 323 IPC (which is bailable) in case of minor burns and punishable under section 326, in case of severe burn injuries.

The petitioner has contended that an acid attack is more dangerous and injurious than fire burns as the victim face stands totally disfigured, almost finishing the chance of the victim getting married.

Also, the trauma faced by a victim of acid attack is far far worse than death itself.

Attackers get away lightly and it encourages more and more such attacks, the PIL said.

The petition also says that the victim can also become permanently blind or may become disabled for life and therefore such a heinous crime against women deserve to be dealt with an iron hand and deterrent punishment is a must.

Laxmi is herself a victim of acid attack.

The matter will come up for hearing in July, after the court's vacations.

UNI AKS/SC SK VD KN1528