The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered all the high courts in the country to provide information on the pending acid attack cases within four weeks, as it is very much worried about the excessive delay in the same case. This order was made as a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi listened to a petition of public interest brought by an acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik. It also frightened the bench that even in the case involving Malik himself which was filed in 2009, the case is still pending despite the 16 years, and this is what the case describes as a national shame.
To voice his disdain of the long delays, the Chief Justice said, What a parody of the legal system! When this cannot be done by the national capital, then who will? This is a national shame.” The bench requested Malik to submit an application in her PIL to clarify why the matter took a long time to commence, and the court could also take a suo motu action to ensure the case takes a shorter duration.
The Centre and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities were also issued notices. The court also ordered the registries of all the high courts to list and submit data on the similar pending cases so that the courts could determine the magnitude of the issue in the country.
In the hearing, Malik emphasized how acid attack victims were badly suffering. The consequences of war include the lifetime injuries, disfigurement, and medical issues, some of which demand permanent feeding tubes. She requested the court to treat acid attack survivors as persons with disabilities so that they can be able to access several welfare programs and legal safeguards.
This request was addressed by the bench to seek a response by the Centre. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the judges that the case would receive due seriousness saying those found guilty of such offenses should be dealt with with strict action.
The Chief Justice also urged the government to make amendments to the law.
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