A Socio-Legal Analysis on Acid Attacks In India

Acid attack is one of the gravest infliction committed on human beings which has life-long catastrophic effects. A glimpse at the statistics proves that women are often targets of this brutal human right violation. India accounts for a lion’s share of acid attack cases reported globally. Prior to the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2013, the penalty for offenders was minimal and there was no provision for adequate compensation for the survivors. Acid violence is now classified as a separate offence under the new Act, with provisions for stringent penalty and better compensation. The legal battle led by acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal can be described as historic, as she was successful in bringing regulations governing acid supply and ensuring proper compensation and rehabilitation for survivors. This article discusses in detail the nature and statistics of acid attacks, motives for acid attacks and its physical, social and economic impacts on the survivors and their families. Various judicial interventions and different existing laws in our country to curb this social evil is elaborately listed by citing recent amendments and case laws. There are numerous acid attack survivors who overcame the odds with grit and persistence. This article also includes three inspiring acid attack survivor stories. The article concludes with a few suggestions to address this burning issue including urging people to unite in efforts to wipe out this heinous crime from our society by supporting the survivors in their fight for justice and acceptance.