India’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that acid attack victims should be given compensation within 15 days of attack and also put a rider on the over-the-counter sale of acid, saying only people aged above 18 years of age could buy the chemical after declaring the purpose.
The Indian SC said victims of acid attacks, mostly women, should get a compensation of 300,000 Indian rupees, of which at least 100,000 would have to be given by authorities within 15 days.
It clearly said only licenced shopkeepers could sell acid to people above 18 years of age, having valid photo identity cards. Moreover, the buyer would have to declare the purpose of buying acid to the seller, and the latter should submit the details of such sales to the local police within three days.
The SC has also directed the central and state governments to make the acid attack offense non-bailable.
Throwing of acid on women by men is common in India. The acid attacks are often used by men as a form of revenge on women for refusal of sexual advances, proposals of marriage and demands for dowry.
Women victims of acid attacks grapple with trauma and disfigurement for life, with sometimes little help from law because of the prolonged legal cases in this country.
