Marked for Life: Understanding the Crisis of Acid Attack Survivors in India
In a country striving for gender justice and legal reforms, the plight of acid attack survivors remains an urgent reminder of systemic apathy. A recent hearing by the Supreme Court of India has reignited focus on cases lingering without resolution. With most victims being women, and many facing horrific physical and emotional trauma, the criminal justice system's slow pace not only denies timely justice but adds to their suffering.
This article covers the Supreme Court's recent observations on acid attacks, the disturbing statistics surrounding these crimes, and the growing call for legal and systemic reform. It also examines how this topic connects with UPSC, SSC, and other bank exam syllabi under areas such as gender equality, criminal justice, fundamental rights, and social issues.
Image credit: The Hindu
Judicial Wake-Up Call from India's Apex Court
On December 5, 2025, during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist and survivor Shaheen Malik, the Supreme Court of India expressed grave concern about pending trials related to acid attacks. The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, criticized the judicial delay and described it as a "mockery of the system".
The case in focus involves Ms. Malik herself, who was attacked with acid outside her office in Haryana in 2009. Despite 16 years passing, her case hasn't reached a final judgment. After multiple procedural lapses and delays, the case was shifted to a Delhi court. Shaheen Malik, also the founder of Brave Souls Foundation, has since become a vocal advocate for the rights of acid attack survivors.
Call for Immediate Legal and Policy Intervention
The CJI advocated for swift measures, urging the Union Government to consider enacting an ordinance to address these cases with the seriousness they warrant. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta supported the PIL and declared that acid attackers should be dealt with the same "ruthlessness as they showed their victims".
Responding to these developments, the apex court directed the Registrar-General of High Courts across India to submit details of all pending acid attack cases. It also proposed the establishment of exclusive special courts to fast-track these trials on a daily basis. This move aims to ensure that survivors don't spend their lives awaiting justice.
Legal Framework: Acid Attacks in Indian Law
Previously, in the renowned Laxmi v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court issued historic directives including regulation of acid sales—and advocated for medical treatment, rehabilitation, and compensation for survivors. These directives laid foundational guidelines, but their implementation at the state level has remained inconsistent.
With the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (a replacement for the Indian Penal Code upcoming in 2026), acid attack provisions continue under Section 124. However, ground-level reality—with prolonged trials and poor conviction rates—paints a bleak picture.
The Data Speaks: Grim Numbers Reveal the Crisis
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data from 2023 registered 207 cases of acid attacks in India:
- West Bengal: 57 cases (highest in the nation)
- Uttar Pradesh: 31 cases
- Maharashtra and Delhi: Double-digit cases reported
These statistics reflect only reported cases. Experts suggest that underreporting, stigma, and fear of retaliation may suppress actual numbers. Most survivors are women, often minors, attacked due to reasons ranging from the rejection of romantic advances to familial disputes or property disagreement.
Understanding Systemic Gaps: Medical, Legal, and Emotional
Apart from delayed trials, survivors face uphill battles for reconstructive surgeries, mental health care, employment, and social integration. Government schemes exist—but many remain unaware or unable to access them. In Shaheen Malik's case, it wasn't until 2013—four years after her attack—that any legal progress began.
Her NGO, Brave Souls, fills critical gaps left by state machinery—offering survivors not just medical and legal help, but also a compassionate platform for their voices. Her PIL seeks formal classification of such survivors as persons with specified disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016—a move that could open access to numerous welfare benefits.
Role of Society and Government: Moving Beyond Sympathy
The Court's strong language against granting any sympathy to acid attackers must translate into robust action:
- Strict enforcement of acid sale regulations
- Immediate hospitalization and financial aid for victims
- Dedicated prosecution teams for such cases
- State sponsorship for cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries
- Inclusion of survivors into disability rights and benefits schemes
These measures must be accompanied by awareness campaigns to eliminate stigma and encourage reporting of such crimes.
Relevance for UPSC, SSC and Other Exams
For aspirants preparing for civil services and government jobs, issues discussed in this editorial are highly relevant:
- Ethics paper (GS IV – UPSC): Questions on compassion, duty of law enforcement, criminal justice delivery.
- GS II – Polity & Governance: Rights of women, vulnerable sections, role of judiciary, good governance practices.
- Essay paper: E.g., "Justice delayed is justice denied," "Women's safety is national priority"
- SSC & Bank Exams: Reading comprehension, current affairs, and paragraph writing sections often derive from such topics.
Conclusion: A Fight for Dignity
Survivors of acid attacks live with disfigurement and internal pain that can last a lifetime. Yet, their courage and resilience, as embodied by Shaheen Malik, demand that the system respect them—not just through words, but through swift justice and support. It is not just a legal issue—it is a moral and social imperative that touches the heart of constitutional values.
As we prepare to serve as future bureaucrats or officers, understanding these human trails of injustice equips us with empathy, administrative clarity, and commitment to reform.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Understanding
- Which section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deals with acid attacks?
- Name the survivor who filed the PIL mentioned in this article.
- Which two states recorded the highest number of acid attacks in 2023?
- What role did the Supreme Court propose to fast-track acid attack cases?
- Under which Act is acid attack survivor recognition being sought under disability rights?
Answers:
- Section 124
- Shaheen Malik
- West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
- Creation of special courts for day-to-day trials
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
