The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to consider whether the retail sale of acid should be completely banned or allowed only under strict regulations.
These directions by the apex court came on Monday during the hearing of the Shaheen Malik v Union of India case.
What is the entire matter?
At that time, the Court was told that acid remains easily available despite safeguards issued in 2013.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, also directed all states and Union Territories to prepare rehabilitation schemes for acid attack survivors and submit them within six weeks.
The Court noted that the 2013 guidelines had become outdated and were not being properly implemented.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate Saurabh Kirpal told the Bench that a volunteer survey found acid could still be purchased easily. He even sought a ban on retail sales while allowing industrial use, arguing that household cleaning products could be replaced with safer alternatives.
CJI Kant said the Centre should examine how acid is manufactured and why it remains readily available. He suggested safeguards such as age restrictions, written reasons from buyers, and maintaining purchase records.
Urges strict policy formation on sales of acid
While addressing the issue of strict policy formation on the sale of acid in the retail market, additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said the Centre had issued an advisory and Model Rules following the 2013 Laxmi v Union of India judgment.
However, several states had neither formed the required committees nor implemented the rules.
The Court also called for greater awareness about the immediate treatment of acid attack victims. NGOs were allowed to submit suggestions within four weeks on including prevention, emergency response, and post-attack treatment in school and college curricula.
An acid attack survivor urged the Court to impose a ban, saying three acid attacks occur every day and that she continued to suffer psychological effects from an attack 17 years ago. CJI Kant assured her that the Court would pursue the matter to a “logical conclusion”.
Kirpal also raised concerns about acid ingestion. He said victims face difficulties obtaining disability certificates because assessment rules focus mainly on physical disfigurement. Bhati said the 2024 disability assessment guidelines are being amended to cover acid ingestion and that the final draft is under examination.
