SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought the Centre’s response on whether the retail sale of acid should be completely prohibited or subjected to stricter regulations amid concerns over its continued easy availability despite guidelines issued in 2013.
The court also directed the Centre, all states and Union Territories to formulate appropriate rehabilitation measures for acid attack victims within six weeks.
It asked the Union government to consider framing a model rehabilitation scheme and extending necessary assistance to states and UTs for its effective implementation.
The court said the rehabilitation framework should address compensation, rehabilitation, medical assistance and free education up to higher levels for victims of acid attacks.
The directions came against the backdrop of concerns that acid remains readily available despite regulatory measures introduced more than a decade ago.
The Centre’s response on whether the existing regulatory framework should be tightened further or the retail sale of acid prohibited altogether is now awaited.
A six-week timeframe has also been set for the authorities to put in place appropriate rehabilitation measures for victims.
