(Reopen DEL93)

Parasaran also told the court that on February 3, 2013, the government had issued an ordinance amending the Indian Penal Code and making acid attack a specific offence by introducing section 326(a) and (b). Advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for the PIL petitioner, drew the attention of the court to the Haryana scheme for the care and rehabilitation of acid attack victims. "Why not Haryana scheme be a model for other states"? the bench said. Haryana government under its scheme has taken upon itself the entire responsibility for the treatment and rehabilitation of acid attack victims. The petitioner, in her plea, had sought framing of a new law or amending of the existing criminal laws like IPC, Indian Evidence Act and CrPC for dealing with the offence, besides asking for compensation. Laxmi was subjected to the acid attack by three youths near Tughlaq Road here as she had refused to marry one of them, according to the petition. The trial is going on for the offence of attempt to murder and two of the accused are out on bail. (more)