NCW concerned over rising incidents of acid attacks on women

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over rising incidents of acid attacks on women in India, the most recent being one on noted fashion designer Tarveen Suri, the National Commission of Women today demanded perpetrators of such a crime be meted out the strictest punishment, if necessary, by amending existing laws.

Addressing a press conference here, NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said,''keeping in view the increasing intensity of such attacks on women in recent years, there is a need for bringing about an amendment in the existing laws to treat acid attacks at par with other heinous crimes like rape.'' Stressing on the need for framing a relief scheme for such victims, she said the commission was in the process of finalising such a scheme for victims of acid attack.

''Of all the gender-based violence directed towards women, the most horrific offence is of acid attack. The attack disfigures the victim for life and traumatises them to excruciating and unbearable pain compounded by social rejection,''she said.

The NCW chairperson said in response to complaints from victims seeking help, the commission had decided to frame a policy to help such victims.

The policy, which was in the process of formulation for the last couple of years, calls for interim compensation of Rs 20000 to the victim, creating a national acid attck victims fund and devising an insurance scheme to provide for medical costs incurred by the victim which are extremely exhorbitant.

She also called for an amendment in the existing laws to deal with the perpetrators of such a crime more stringently.

These people should be tried under section 302, as against the present practice of trying them under section 326A and section 307 of the IPC, she advocated.

The NCW said it would soon file a PIL in the Supreme Court demanding that cases related to acid attack, like rape cases, be tried in fast track courts.

''After all, subjecting a victim to acide attack is no less a crime than murder and hence those committing it deserve the to be given the strictest punishment,''Ms Vyas said.

In the case of acid attack on fashion designer Tarveen Suri by two assailants outside her Greater Kailash house last week, the NCW has called for a report from the police as well as the state administration. Also, a committee has been set up to look into the facts of the case.

The NCW also called for introduction in the ongoing session of Parliament the Protection of Women against Sexual Harrassment Bill.

''It is important that the Bill is passed at the earliest because even today there are many organisations which have not complied with the Vishakha case and do not have any complaints committee to address the issue of sexual harrassment,''Ms Vyas said.

The NCW has also demanded review of certain provisions of section 125 to 128 of the CrPC, which entitles a wife, a child or a parent unable to maintain themselves to claim maintenance.

Ms Vyas said the provision disabling a wife from recovering maintenance on expiry of one year be deleted. She also called for constitution of more mahila courts to dispose off cases relating to maintenance of wife and children.

UNI