Strong social action needed to eradicate acid attacks: Patna HC Chief Justice

Strong social action needed to endacid attacks: Patna HC Chief JusticeMadan.KumarPatna: Chief Justice of the Patna high court, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, on Sunday described acid attacks as a crime against humanity and called for strong social action to eradicate such offences.Speaking at an awareness programme organised by the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) for acid attack victims, he said acid must not be sold without proper identification and stressed the need for immediate and strict justice in such cases.Justice Sahoo said rejection or disputes could never justify violence and highlighted the devastating impact of acid attacks on victims, who suffer mentally, physically and financially.

He identified the major causes behind such crimes as rejection in love, domestic violence, dowry-related violence, property disputes and revenge. He added that India already has clear and stringent laws to deal with acid attack cases, but their proper implementation remains essential.He also said both govt and private hospitals are required to provide free and immediate treatment to acid attack victims without procedural delays.

Refusal to treat such victims is a punishable offence under Section 200 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which provides for one year of imprisonment along with a monetary penalty.Patna High Court judge Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, who also addressed the event, pointed to gaps in support systems for victims. He said hospitals providing free treatment often do not receive timely reimbursement from the health department and this issue requires urgent correction.

He emphasised that acid attack survivors must receive prompt medical care, compensation and legal assistance.Justice Prasad said many compensation-related cases have remained pending since 2015 and 2016 and should be resolved without delay. Although district-level committees have been formed to provide compensation and other support, several cases remain stuck as meetings are not held on time. He said the Bihar State Legal Services Authority returned Rs 9 crore allocated by the govt for compensating acid attack victims, calling it a sign of insensitivity towards survivors.

He urged victims to approach courts if the state fails to provide compensation on time.He said those entrusted with helping victims must act and those who fail in their duty are as guilty as the perpetrators. He added that the issue is not merely about the existence of laws but about enforcing them effectively and with sensitivity.Director general of police Vinay Kumar recalled a distressing case involving a Dalit acid attack victim in Bihar and said all the accused are currently out on bail while the court has been hearing the matter continuously since 2012. He said 160 acid attack cases have been reported in Bihar since 2012 and 108 victims have received compensation. He also cited a Muzaffarpur case in which the accused was tried and sentenced.