Patna High Court Chief Justice Advocates for Strong Social Action to Eliminate Acid Attacks
Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, has declared acid attacks as crimes against humanity, urging robust social initiatives to eradicate such offenses. Speaking at an awareness program organized by the Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) for acid attack victims, he emphasized the necessity of immediate and stringent justice in these cases.
Justice Sahoo Highlights Causes and Legal Framework
Justice Sahoo stated that rejection or disputes can never justify violence, underscoring the devastating mental, physical, and financial toll on victims. He identified key causes behind acid attacks, including:
- Rejection in love
- Domestic violence
- Dowry-related violence
- Property disputes
- Revenge
He noted that India already has clear and stringent laws to address acid attack cases, but stressed that proper implementation is crucial. Additionally, he highlighted that both government and private hospitals are mandated to provide free and immediate treatment to victims without procedural delays. Refusal to treat is punishable under Section 200 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with penalties including one year of imprisonment and monetary fines.
Justice Prasad Points to Systemic Gaps in Victim Support
Patna High Court judge Justice Rajeev Ranjan Prasad addressed gaps in support systems for victims. He revealed that hospitals offering free treatment often face delays in reimbursement from the health department, an issue requiring urgent correction. Justice Prasad emphasized that acid attack survivors must receive prompt medical care, compensation, and legal assistance.
He disclosed that many compensation-related cases have been pending since 2015 and 2016, urging their resolution without delay. Although district-level committees have been established to provide compensation and support, several cases remain stalled due to untimely meetings. Justice Prasad criticized the Bihar State Legal Services Authority for returning Rs 9 crore allocated by the government for victim compensation, labeling it as insensitivity towards survivors. He encouraged victims to approach courts if the state fails to provide timely compensation.
Justice Prasad asserted that those responsible for aiding victims must act, and failure in duty equates to guilt akin to perpetrators. He emphasized that the issue extends beyond the existence of laws to their effective and sensitive enforcement.
DGP Kumar Shares Distressing Case Statistics
Director General of Police Vinay Kumar recalled a distressing case involving a Dalit acid attack victim in Bihar, where all accused are currently out on bail, with the court continuously hearing the matter since 2012. He reported that 160 acid attack cases have been recorded in Bihar since 2012, with 108 victims receiving compensation. Kumar also cited a Muzaffarpur case where the accused was successfully tried and sentenced.
The event underscored the critical need for coordinated efforts between legal authorities, healthcare providers, and social organizations to combat acid attacks and support victims effectively.
