Acid attacks: SC seeks more stringent law

The bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices R V Raveendran and M K Sharma was not convinced with the submission of the Centre that the matter was under active consideration of the Law Commission.

The petitioner in the case is a minor, Lakshmi, herself a victim of such an attack. Her advocate, Aparna Bhat, pleaded that the availability of acid in the market should be restricted and regulated, through a law similar to that of Bangladesh8217;s Acid Control Order.

The advocate also appealed for an amendment to make acid attacks a non-bailable offence, pointing out that those who assaulted Lakshmi were out on bail.

The counsel hoped that the state would take up immediate and effective rehabilitation of such victims, mostly girls, who have to suffer throughout their lives.