New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all high courts to submit, within four weeks, details of pending acid attack trials across the country, sharply criticising the 16-year delay in one such case in Delhi as a “national shame.”
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on a PIL filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik. Malik’s own case, pending before a Rohini court since 2009, prompted strong remarks from the bench, which called the prolonged delay a mockery of the legal system.
The CJI asked Malik to file an application explaining why her case remains unresolved, assuring her that the court may even take suo motu cognisance. High courts have been directed to provide registry data on all pending acid attack trials within four weeks.
During the hearing, Malik highlighted the severe and lifelong suffering endured by survivors, many of whom depend on artificial feeding tubes and live with permanent disabilities.
The court also sought the Centre’s response to her plea for classifying acid attack survivors as persons with disabilities to enable access to welfare schemes. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the bench of serious consideration, saying perpetrators must face severe consequences.
The CJI urged the government to consider amending the law—through legislation or ordinance—to formally include acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and stressed that such cases should ideally be tried in special courts to ensure speedy justice. (Agencies)
