Lok Sabha Question No. 3312 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-13
Subject: Acid Attack Victims
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mala Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UN-STARRED QUESTION NO.3312

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2020

## ACID ATTACK VICTIMS

## 3312:  SHRIMATI MALA ROY

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of acid attack victims in the country;
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to rehabilitate such victims; and
- (c) the steps taken to prevent such attacks in future?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a): As per the data published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), in the year 2018, under section 326A of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), there have been total 240 victims of acid attack in the country.
- (b)  to  (c):  The  Government  of  India  is  implementing  'One  Stop  Centre  (OSC)'  and ''Universalisation  of Women Helpline (WHL)' schemes. OSCs aim to facilitate women affected by violence with a range of integrated services under one roof such as police facilitation, medical aid, legal counselling, psycho-social counselling, temporary shelter etc.  ''Universalisation  of Women  Helpline'  scheme provides 24 hours emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence through the short code 181 by linking  them  with  appropriate  authorities  such  as  Police,  One  Stop  Centre,  Hospital, Legal  Services  etc.  WHL  also  supports  women  in  distress  with  rescue  van  and counselling services in addition to providing information about women welfare schemes and programs across the country. Further, the Ministry of  Women  and  Child Development is also administering Swadhar Greh Scheme for relief and rehabilitation of women in difficult circumstances, including victims of acid attack.

Section 357A of Cr. P.C. provides that compensation under Victim Compensation Scheme  is  to  be  paid  to  the  victims.  Section  357B  of  Cr.P.C.  further  provides  that compensation payable under section 357A shall be in addition to the payment of fine to victim. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued a comprehensive Advisory on 20 th April  2015  on  taking  steps  to  implement  the  provisions  of  Indian  Penal  Code  (IPC), expediting action in cases of acid attack, and to provide treatment and compensation to victims.  This  advisory  is  available  on  www.mha.gov.in.  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family Welfare has also issued an advisory dated 02 nd May 2013, to all States/UTs to provide free medical treatment to the victims of acid attack.

Further, pursuant to the Hon'ble Supreme Court's order dated 11.05.2018 in the WP(C) 565/ 2012 - Nipun Saxena Vs. Union of India, National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) has formulated the revised scheme enhancing the compensation to be given to Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/ other crimes. The scheme also covers the  cases of  acid attacks.  The  scheme was circulated by Ministry of Women & Child Development on 18.05.2018 and again by Ministry of Home Affairs on 28.06.2018 to all States/UTs for compliance.

Moreover,  the  National  Legal  Services  Authority  has  framed  NALSA  (Legal Services to Victims of Acid Attacks) Scheme, 2016 under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.  The main objectives of the Scheme include enabling victims of acid attacks to get access to medical facilities and rehabilitative services, and strengthening legal aid for victims of acid attack.

In addition, under the Prime Minister's Relief Fund Rs. One lakh as compensation is also being provided by  the Prime Minister Office to the acid attacks victim since 08-10-2016.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also circulated the Model Poisons Possession and Sales Rules, 2013 to all States/UTs for notifying the same to regulate the sale of acid in respective States/UTs. Details of this advisory is available at www.mha.gov.in. 'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the Constitution  of  India.  The  responsibilities  to  maintain  law  and  order,  protection  of  life and  property  of  the  citizens  rest  with  the  respective  State  Governments.  The  State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws.

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