Supreme Court Seeks Details of All Pending Acid Attack Trials, Calls 16-Year Delay ‘National Shame’

The Supreme Court on Thursday instructed all high courts to provide details of pending acid attack trial cases across the country within four weeks, describing the 16-year delay in one such case in a Delhi court as a "national shame."

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi also issued notices to the Centre and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on a PIL filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik.

The bench sharply criticised the prolonged delay in Malik's own case, which has been pending before a Rohini court since 2009. "What a mockery of the legal system! This is such a shame. If the national capital cannot handle this, then who will? This is national shame," the bench observed.

The Chief Justice asked Malik to file an application within the PIL explaining why her case had not been concluded, assuring her that the court may consider taking suo motu cognisance.

The Supreme Court directed the registries of all high courts to submit complete details of pending acid attack trials within the stipulated four-week timeframe.

During the proceedings, Malik drew attention to the severe suffering of victims who are sometimes forced to ingest acid and survive with artificial feeding tubes and long-term disabilities.

The bench also sought a response from the Centre on her plea to classify acid attack survivors as persons with disabilities, ensuring their eligibility for welfare schemes.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the matter would be handled with "due seriousness," stating that perpetrators "should meet with the same ruthlessness as done here."

The CJI urged the Union government to consider amending the law-either through legislation or an ordinance-to formally include acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

He added that acid attack cases should ideally be handled by special courts to ensure timely justice.