Supreme Court bans sale of acid to minors, compensation to victims within 15 days

In a step to protect women from acid attacks across the country, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that acid cannot be sold by minors, buyers must have a valid government identification card and announced a higher compensation scheme for victims.

"We had hoped that acid sale was banned completely. Though this has not happened, the order has brought about a high degree of regulation in the sale of acid", said Supreme Court lawyer Aparna Bhat.

Under the new rules, minors cannot sell acid and the buyer must produce "a government issued photo identification card, with a valid address" at the time of sale. The buyer must also declare the reason of usage at the time of procurement of the substance.

The central government has made a commitment to frame and circulate modern rules under the Poisons Act within one week. The state governments have been given three months to amend and implement these rules in the respective states.

In the interim, the Supreme Court has ordered that pre-existing stocks must be declared by sellers and may be confiscated if the rules are not complied with. A fine of up to Rs. 50,000 may be imposed on those who do not comply with the new rules.

In addition to strengthening deterrents of perpetrators of acid crimes, the Supreme Court also revised the victim compensation scheme after deeming the present scheme as "totally inadequate".

"The victim compensation scheme is now 3 lakhs. 1 lakh in the first month, and 2 lakhs in the preceding two months", said Bhat.

Victim Laxmi, a resident of New Delhi, has fearlessly fought the case after being attacked at the age of 15 for refusing a marriage proposal. She said here today that though this is a breakthrough, there is a long way to go.

"After seven years of battle, I'm happy that atleast this decision has come. I am definitely not satisfied with the compensation package and it something that we will bring up in the next hearing", Laxmi said.

The next Supreme Court hearing will be in four months where the specifics of the proposed rehabilitation scheme will be discussed.