It has been 7 years since the legislation specifically dealing with acid attack offences was released, given the sociological conditions in India which allowed perpetrators to easily escape the repercussion of throwing acid on a person, the most common victim being a woman who had suffered such a fate for spurning the advances of a man, rejected dowry demands, or had been insolent in following her husband’s lead. Whatever the reason, even internationally it has been accepted that acid attacks are a gender-based violence.

This paper intends to pursue the international developments in the fight against acid attacks, especially in countries such an India, Cambodia and Bangladesh, which have been focal points for crimes of these stature. The paper explains the practical repercussions on the body and mind of the victim, and the loss of social and economic life which is a near about certain outcome of the attack. The paper tracks the legislative cases before and after the passing of the Criminal Amendment Act, 2013 in India and exploring whether there has been a change in the standards of inclusivity in the society after the passing of the legislation. The paper further seeks to understand whether the compensatory and retributive framework has changed in the recent judgements of the judiciary. Lastly, the paper tracks the position of acid attack legislatures in various countries, record the progressive changes therein, and determine whether India may take inspiration from the other hot spots in curbing the rampant acid attack offences in India.

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