Supreme Court hearing the plea on forced acid ingestion, with the Centre assuring possible legislative amendments to include such survivors under disability protection laws.
Case in News
Supreme Court examines plea as Centre may amend law to protect forced acid victims urgently .
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Case Name
Shaheen Malik v. Union of India, W.P.(C) No. 1112/2025
Case Overview
A bench led by CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard a petition by Shaheen Malik, an acid-attack survivor, seeking statutory protection for women forced to ingest acid . Presently, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD Act) recognises “acid attack victims” only when disfigurement is caused by throwing corrosive substances . The petitioner highlighted the severe and invisible internal injuries suffered by victims of forced acid consumption which remain outside the statutory definition . Shocked by the existence of such cases, the Court remarked that perpetrators of such acts are “worse than animals”. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Court that the Union Government would consider legislative amendments to address this gap .
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Key Aspects
Before listing the issues, the petition stresses that women forced to drink acid suffer irreversible injuries yet remain outside statutory protection .Key issues include :
- RPwD Act definition excludes victims without external disfigurement .
- Forced acid ingestion causes severe internal injuries to the oesophagus and stomach .
- Under-reporting leads to misclassification of such cases in official records .
- Increasing incidents linked to domestic violence, dowry disputes and retaliation .
- Need for legislative clarification to explicitly cover victims of forced consumption .
Legal Insights
Before analysing provisions, it is important that statutory protection aligns with the lived realities of acid assault survivors .Relevant legal provisions include :
- Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (Section 2(y)): Defines acid attack disability; currently limited to disfigurement .
- Indian Penal Code – Sections 326A & 326B : Punish acid throwing and attempts but lack clarity on forced ingestion .
- Article 21, Constitution of India: Protects dignity and bodily integrity of women .
- CrPC, Section 173(1) : Mandates prompt investigation of serious offences .
Court’s Verdict
The Supreme Court recorded the Solicitor General’s assurance that the Centre will consider amendments and frame an appropriate policy within six weeks . Notices were issued to all States and Union Territories, returnable on January 27, 2026 . The Court also directed High Courts to prioritise pending acid-attack trials . The matter remains pending for further consideration .
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Read also-Constitution of India
Source-Supreme Court of India
