SC Pushes acid attackers to face attempted murder charges, tougher penalties
SC Pushes acid attackers to face attempted murder charges, tougher penalties
The Supreme Court calls for harsher penalties for acid attackers, proposing attempted murder charges and broader protection for survivors in a pivotal hearing.
The Supreme Court on Thursday signaled that perpetrators who forcibly administer acid should face punishment more stringent than those under UAPA, and it floated the possibility of charging them with attempted murder. The hearing, in which acid-attack survivor Shaheen Malik’s petition was discussed, also explored extending protections under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to survivors who were forced to ingest acid.
The bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, stressed that such crimes are barbaric and a threat to society, warranting stringent legal action. They noted that survivors often suffer long-term medical needs, even if they bear no visible scars, and urged the Centre to consider changes in penal and bail laws to reflect the severity of the offence. The court highlighted the financial and medical burdens faced by survivors from lower-income backgrounds and pressed for a comprehensive policy framework to safeguard them.
Arguments also centered on the status of trials, with the court expressing concern over cases that have languished for years and asking for timely hearings. The Centre was asked to respond with a plan to expedite prosecutions and to assess whether RPwD benefits should extend to those forced to ingest acid, despite their injuries presenting as disfigurement not always externally visible. The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 26, 2026, as the judiciary seeks stronger accountability and protection for acid attack survivors.
Cover image source: Punishment for forcibly administering acid must be stricter than under UAPA : SC 🔗
