Taking note of the survivor’s petition, the court said it was “shameful” that a case of such gravity remained unresolved for over a decade and a half. “The crime is from 2009. The trial has not been completed yet. If even Delhi cannot deal with such challenges, it is shameful for the system,” the bench observed.
The court underscored that the law “cannot show any leniency towards acid attackers” and advised the petitioner to seek daily hearings both before the apex court and the trial court in Delhi to expedite the proceedings.
The case concerns a 26-year-old MBA student who was attacked with acid in 2009. According to the petitioner, the case saw no progress for the first four years and remains incomplete despite reaching the final stage before Rohini Court. She told the bench that the prolonged wait for justice had compounded her trauma.
The court also raised alarm over a reported rise in cases where attackers force victims to ingest acid, often resulting in severe and permanent disabilities. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that such survivors could be included under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The CJI asked the Centre to examine whether an amendment to the law could incorporate this category of victims.
Since the original case was filed in Haryana, the Supreme Court directed that the state be made a party to the proceedings as it reviews the larger issue of pending acid attack cases nationwide.
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