SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all high courts to furnish details of pending acid attack trials across India within four weeks, criticising a 16-year delay in one case in Delhi as a “national shame.” A bench comprising 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.
The bench expressed strong condemnation of the prolonged delay in Malik’s case, which has been pending since 2009 before a Rohini court. “What a mockery of the legal system! This is such a shame. If the national capital cannot handle this, then who will? This is national shame,” the judges remarked. Chief Justice Kant asked Malik to file an application within the PIL explaining the reasons for the delay, noting that the court could take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
The apex court has directed the registries of all high courts to submit the requested information within four weeks. During the hearing, Malik highlighted the severe suffering of survivors, many of whom are compelled to ingest acid, leaving them with permanent disabilities and dependence on artificial feeding tubes.
The bench also sought the Centre’s response on her plea to classify acid attack survivors as persons with disabilities, ensuring their eligibility for welfare schemes. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the issue would be addressed with “due seriousness” and that perpetrators should face “the same ruthlessness” as applied in other cases. The Chief Justice urged the government to consider legislative or ordinance measures to formally include acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
The court further recommended that acid attack cases be tried by special courts to ensure speedy and effective justice.
