Acid attacks are among the most heinous and inhumane crimes, often causing irreversible physical, mental, and emotional trauma to the victim. Primarily targeting women and children, acid attacks not only disfigure and disable the victim but also destroy their lives in ways that go beyond the physical injuries. Over the years, India has witnessed a disturbing rise in acid attacks, prompting legal and judicial reforms to combat the issue effectively.
An acid attack refers to the deliberate act of throwing or administering acid on a person with the intent to cause grievous injury, disfigurement, or harm. The substances commonly used in these attacks include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid, which are caustic in nature and capable of causing permanent physical and psychological damage.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) defines acid attacks as:
“Any act of throwing acid or using acid in any form on the victim with the intention or with the knowledge that such person is likely to cause to the other person permanent or partial damage or deformity or disfiguration to any part of such person’s body.”
Early Cases: The first documented acid attack case in India appeared in 1975, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). However, it was not until 2002 that cases began to escalate significantly.
Global Context: Acid attacks are not confined to India; they are prevalent across South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh and Pakistan, where socio-economic and gender-based violence issues are widespread.
Case Statistics: By 2000, India reported 174 acid attack cases, highlighting the need for specific legal provisions to combat this brutal form of violence.
Prior to 2013, there were no specific provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to address acid attacks. Perpetrators were prosecuted under general sections such as Sections 320, 322, 325, and 326, dealing with grievous hurt. However, recognising the need for targeted legislation, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 introduced Sections 326A and 326B into the IPC.
Definition: This section criminalises causing grievous hurt, burns, or disfigurement by throwing acid with the intent or knowledge to cause harm.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 was largely influenced by two key recommendations:
These recommendations played a pivotal role in shaping the amendments to the IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act.
In addition to punishing perpetrators, India recognised the need to regulate the sale and distribution of acid to curb its misuse. This was formalised under The Poisons Act, 1919.
Despite strong legislation, acid attacks continue to pose challenges:
Acid attacks are one of the most brutal forms of violence, often targeting vulnerable sections of society. While significant legal reforms have been introduced, including Sections 326A and 326B of the IPC and the regulation of acid sales, challenges remain in enforcement and victim rehabilitation. Judicial interventions in landmark cases like Laxmi v. Union of India and State of Maharashtra v. Ankur Panwar have set strong precedents for victim support and compensation. However, effective implementation of laws, public awareness, and comprehensive rehabilitation measures are crucial to eradicate this menace from society.
India’s journey towards combating acid attacks highlights the need for a multi-faceted approach—one that combines legal enforcement, social support, and systemic reforms to ensure justice, dignity, and recovery for the survivors.