Supreme Court slams 16-year delay in acid attack trial, seeks nationwide data on pending cases
PTC Web Desk: The Supreme Court on Thursday voiced strong displeasure over the 16-year delay in the trial of a 2009 acid attack case, calling it a “shame” and a stark failure of the justice system. Taking suo motu cognisance, the top court ordered all high courts in the country to provide updated information on acid attack cases that are still awaiting trial.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi, made the observations while hearing a public interest litigation filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, who is seeking better support systems for survivors who are force-fed acid rather than attacked externally.
“What a mockery of the legal system! A crime committed in 2009 is still on trial. If courts in the national capital cannot conclude such cases, who will?” the Bench remarked, expressing shock at the prolonged delay.
Shaheen Malik informed the court that while external acid attack survivors often receive medical aid and compensation because their injuries are visible, women who are forced to drink acid rarely get timely treatment or financial help since their internal damage is harder to document. She recounted that her own case saw no progress until 2013, when a judicial officer helped reopen the hearings. The trial is still underway in a Delhi court.
The CJI called the practice of forcing women to ingest acid “unbelievable and horrifying” and asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to examine whether amendments should be proposed to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 to specifically include such survivors under its protections.
The Bench also asked Shaheen Malik to formally request fast-tracking of her own case, assuring her that the court would consider ordering day-to-day hearings. It further emphasised that high courts must ensure that all acid attack cases are taken up by fast-track courts to avoid such shocking delays.
The court has directed every high court to submit details of pending acid attack trials within their jurisdiction.
- With inputs from agencies
