INTRODUCTION
An acid attack is the most heinous and worst expression of gender violence in India. In many cases, physical harm is inflicted, but acid attacks harm extensively and irreversibly the body, face, and skin of the survivor. Injury can cause physical as well as psychological, emotional, and social harm to the life of the victim. Self-confidence broken, dreams lost, and aspirations of living a normal life often crushed. Most of the victims are women, and the reasons behind it are that they dared to say “no” to marriage proposals, stood up to harassment, or asserted their independence and dignity in a society still struggling with women’s independence.
While India has made remarkable advances through laws like Sections 326A and 326B of the Indian Penal Code[1], and the recent judicial directives of the Supreme Court in Laxmi v. Union of India, reality on the ground is different. Acid is available in local shops. Reparation ordered by the courts is typically expensive, delayed, and medical care is restricted and expensive, and conviction rates are dishearteningly low. To survivors, this means making multiple trips to police stations and courts, and emotional and financial exhaustion. We solve it when advocacy speaks across these various dimensions of injustice that we may be able to convert scar into strength and hopelessness into dignity.
CHALLENGES OF ADVOCACY IN ACID ATTACKS
Access to Acid: In Laxmi v. Union of India (2013), the Supreme Court directed that acid should not be openly sold. The reasons and identification proof need to be verified by the seller. Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs also released an advisory in 2015 to control sales.[2] Survivors and activists report that acid is readily available in most local markets. At times, it even appears online. Once acid is easy to obtain, it is difficult to prevent subsequent attacks.
Criminal Justice and Low Convictions: Following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, Indian Penal Code Sections 326A and 326B were added. These two sections prescribe severe punishment up to ten years to life imprisonment, where the offence is an acid attack.[3] But according to the National Crime Records Bureau, conviction rates are low. Trials take years. For a survivor, it means multiple trips to court, prolonged hearings, and emotional fatigue. The law is powerful in theory but ineffectual in practice.[4]
Compensation Matters: The Supreme Court ordered that all survivors are to receive at least three lakh rupees. One lakh is to be paid within 15 days, and the remaining in two months. In 2018, a special scheme was initiated by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for implementing this. But in most instances, the money is not released on time. Some of the survivors are not even made aware that they can claim compensation. In 2025, the Supreme Court again had to remind state governments to release the money promptly. Acid Attack Victims Can Approach State Legal Services Authorities If Compensation Is Delayed or Defaulted.[5]
Medical Treatment and Health Challenges: Acid burns necessitate repeated and immediate surgeries, yet speciality burn hospitals are extremely few in India. They are mainly concentrated in large cities, with rural survivors having practically none to turn to. The burn-care facilities are not well-funded and unevenly distributed. Even in places where hospitals are present, trained specialists are lacking. High skill is required for reconstructive surgery, but India lacks doctors in this area. The National Library of Medicine has also said that burn management is not yet prioritised in medical education.[6]
Unreliable Data: Data is another weak link. Although NCRB sends figures annually, a lot of researchers remind us that cases are misreported or improperly documented. Without reliable data, the government cannot formulate correct policies or spend money. Where the evidence is poor, advocacy is weakened.[7]
Rehabilitation and Social Stigma: Rehabilitation is the most difficult aspect. Even after treatment, the survivors are stigmatised in school, at work, and even in marriage. There have been some states providing housing or light work, but no overarching national plan to rehab them long-term. Survivors require training, counselling, and full job opportunities.[8]
Uneven Implementation Across States: There is also a disparity between states. Some state governments implement quickly and keep a watch on acid sales, while others turn a blind eye.[9] This leads to unequal justice based on geography. A victim in Delhi may receive faster assistance compared to a victim in a smaller state.
At last, India has made some progress in policy and law, but the main problems still exist. Acid remains too readily available, cases remain too long in court, compensation is late, there are too few hospitals and specialists, data is poor, and rehabilitation is unfinished.
Advocacy has to go beyond punishment now. It has to concentrate on acid sale prevention, speedy justice, improved healthcare, equitable compensation, and complete rehabilitation for all survivors. Only then will the law be able to deliver justice, not merely in words but in deeds.
RECENT LEGAL DEVELOPMENT
- In the 2013 amendment of criminal law, it is a grievous crime to cause severe harm by throwing acid on someone.[10]
- One can be punished for 10 years or life imprisonment, and a fine to cover the medical expenses of the survivor.
- 5 years imprisonment, which is extendable to 7 years with a fine, can be given as a punishment to someone who tries to throw acid under section 326 b of IPC.
- The Supreme Court prohibits the open sale of acid without any identity proof.
- If any seller is found to stock acid, then a fine of 50,000 rupees can be imposed on that person.
- According to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, a minimum compensation of 3 lakhs for an acid attack victim, with an additional fine required for the medical compensation of the victim, can be imposed on the guilty.[11]
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & POLICIES
Compensation Scheme for Acid Attack Victims: The Ministry of Home Affairs has put out a cash plan for acid attack victims. The plan takes care of medical bills, lost cash, & fix-up costs for the hit one.
No one who has been hurt by acid can be turned down by any hospital, be it big or small. It does not matter why. If any place messes up & does not give care, they must face tough consequences. (Section 166B of IPC & Section 357C of CrPC)[12].
Aid for Acid Attack Victims: The Ministry of Social Justice & Help has made many plans to aid acid attack victims. They give financial help, job skills training, & mind talk help.
Full and free treatment to be provided to the acid attack victim (section 357 of CrPC).
One Stop Centres: Set up by the Ministry of Women & Child Development. They aid acid attack victims with medical, legal, & psychological help. [13]
Acid attack victims must get at least Rs 3 lakhs. This is under the victim compensation scheme (Section 357A of CrPC). [14]
Campaigns & Awareness: The government & NGOs run campaigns. They teach people how bad acid attacks are & to stop them. For example, the “Stop Acid Attacks” campaign by Chhanv Foundation raises public awareness through social media and survivor-led initiatives like Sheroes Hangout to fight acid violence and demand justice.
Section 357A of the Criminal Procedure Code: Victim Compensation Scheme: Each state government, with the Central government, shall make a plan to provide funds for victims needing help due to crime.
Section 357B of CrPC: The compensation from the state should be more than just the fine under other laws. All hospitals, whether government or private, must give free first aid to victims.
CONCLUSION
Acid attacks are one of the cruellest crimes because they don’t just hurt the body, they crush a person’s spirit and sense of self. The real fight is not about punishing the attacker but also about giving survivors a chance to live with dignity again. Many of them are left waiting for compensation, proper treatment, or even acceptance from society. Laws are there, but they mean nothing if survivors still feel abandoned. When they are healed, respected, and given hope to rebuild their lives, then laws are successful in achieving their goal.
Author’s Name: Prityanshu Priyadrshinee (National Law University, Odisha)
[1] The Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022, Bill No 116 of 2022 (Lok Sabha, introduced 12 December 2022) https://sansad.in/getFile/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/Asintroduced/116%20OF%202022%20AS12122022111436AM.pdf > accessed 16 October 2025.
[2] Laxmi v. Union of India and Ors 2014 SCC 4 427
[3] The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, No. 116 of 2022, Sansad, <https://sansad.in/getFile/BillsTexts/LSBillTexts/Asintroduced/116%20OF%202022%20AS12122022111436AM.pdf?source=legislation> accessed 8th September
[4] National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,< https://www.ncrb.gov.in/> accessed 8 September
[5] Ministry of Home Affairs, ‘Compensation to Acid Attack Victims’ https://www.mha.gov.in/en/commoncontent/compensation-acid-attack-victims accessed 16 October 2025.
[6] A. Ahuja, Burn Care in India: The Current Scenario, 16 Indian J. Plast. Surg. S8 (2010), <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3188182/>8th Sept 2025
[7] Beaure of police research and development,https://bprd.nic.in/uploads/pdf/1735637729_0969658573dd4b6b08ac.pdf>16th Oct 2025
[8] Acid Attacks in India: Unveiling Layers of Injustice and the Path to Rehabilitation’ (IJIRL, March 2024) https://ijirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ACID-ATTACKS-IN-INDIA-UNVEILING-LAYERS-OF-INJUSTICE-AND-THE-PATH-TO-REHABILITATION.pdf accessed 16 October 2025.
[9] Acid Attacks on Women: Legislative and Judicial Responses in India (VakeelLaw, April 2025) https://vakeellaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Acid-Attacks-on-women_Legislative-and-Judicial-responses-in-India.pdf accessed 16 October 2025.
[10] Aishwarya Agrawal, ‘Acid Attacks Related Laws in India’ (LawBhoomi, 23 December 2024) https://lawbhoomi.com/acid-attacks-related-laws-in-india/ accessed 16 October 2025.
[11] Ministry of Home Affairs, ‘Compensation to Acid Attack Victims’ https://www.mha.gov.in/en/commoncontent/compensation-acid-attack-victims accessed 16 October 2025.
[12] Ministry of Home Affairs, Advisory on Expediting Cases of Acid Attack on Women (Apr. 20, 2015)
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/AdvisoryAcidAttackWomen_220415.pdf
[13] Acid Attack Laws in India: An Analysis of Legal Frameworks and Their Effectiveness in Combating Acid Violence, Legal Service India <https://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-16519-acid-attack-laws-in-india-an-analysis-of-legal-frameworks-and-their-effectiveness-in-combating-acid-violence.html> accessed 8th September
[14] Ministry of Home Affairs, Advisory on Expediting Cases of Acid Attack on Women (Apr. 20, 2015) https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/AdvisoryAcidAttackWomen_220415.pdf)
