Supreme Court Questions Why Acid Attack Accused’s Assets Can’t Be Auctioned for Victim Compensation

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 17:32 IST

The court noted that the current minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh is not enough for lifelong treatment and recovery of acid attack victims.

The Supreme Court of India. (File)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned why all assets of those accused of acid attacks cannot be auctioned to compensate victims. It said stronger financial rehabilitation is needed for survivors.

The court noted that the current minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh is not enough for lifelong treatment and recovery. It said states must ensure better implementation of compensation schemes.

Call for harsher punishment

Chief Justice Surya Kant said acid attacks are heinous crimes and need extremely harsh punishment to prevent such acts. He stressed the need for measures that act as a strong deterrent.

The court was hearing a public interest petition filed by Shaheen Malik, a 2009 acid attack survivor and founder of the NGO Brave Souls Foundation.

Shaheen told the court that all the accused in her case had been acquitted by a lower court. She said she was 26 when the attack happened and is now 42, after spending 16 years fighting the case.

The Chief Justice assured that the Supreme Court would ensure she gets the best lawyer to fight her case in the high court. The court had earlier directed the lower court to speed up the hearing, which has been pending for seven years.

Gaps in disability law highlighted

The petition points out that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 does not treat victims forced to ingest acid as disabled. Only victims on whom acid is thrown are covered under the law.

The court had earlier sought responses from the Centre and states on this issue.

The Supreme Court directed all states and Union Territories to submit year-wise data on acid attacks. This includes details on chargesheets, pending cases, and information about victims such as education, marital status and employment. The court also urged the Centre to consider a law like that for dowry deaths, where the burden of proof shifts to the accused.

Rules on acid sale recalled

In July 2013, the Supreme Court ordered strict regulation of acid sales. It said acid must be sold only with valid identity proof, buyers must state the purpose, sales must be reported to police, and acid cannot be sold to anyone under 18.

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