law commission report no. 226- the inclusion of acid attacks as specific offences in the indian...

8/19/2019 Law Commission Report No. 226- The Inclusion of Acid Attacks as Specific Offences in the Indian Penal Code and …

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LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

Report submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of

India for its onsideration in the pendin! proeedin!s

filed b" one La#mi in W$%$ &Crl$' No$ ()* of )++,

ON

-.he Inlusion of Aid Atta/s as Speifi Offenes in

the Indian %enal Code and a la0 for Compensation for1itims of Crime2

July, 2008

Report No. 226

July 2009

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LAW COMMISSION OF INDIA

%RO%OSAL FOR .H3 INCL4SION OF ACID A..AC5S AS

S%3CIFIC OFF3NC3S IN .H3 INDIAN %3NAL COD3 AND A

LAW FOR COM%3NSA.ION FOR 1IC.IMS OF CRIM3

.A6L3 OF CON.3N.S

Serial No$ .itle %a!e

($ Chapter I Introdution 7

)$ Chapter II A 6rief O8er8ie0 9

7$ Chapter III .he Courts : Aid Atta/s (,

;$ Chapter I1 .he La0 In Other Countries ))


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CHA%.3R(

Introdution

The victim of a gruesome acid attac, !a"mi, has filed a #rit petitio$ i$ the

%upreme &ourt of '$dia i$ (ay, 2006 i$ #hich the !a# &ommissio$ of '$dia has

)ee$ arrayed as the Respo$de$t No.2. Though the !a# &ommissio$ had poi$ted

out to the &ourt that the reliefs i$ the petitio$ ca$$ot )e prayed for from the !a#

&ommissio$, it has decided to tae up the matter suo moto i$ vie# of the gravity

of the offe$ce of acid attacs.

*cid attacs are )ecomi$g a gro#i$g phe$ome$o$ i$ '$dia. !a"mi+s case is a$

e"ample of #hat $ormally occurs i$ such cases. The petitio$ states that !a"mi, a

you$g girl, #as su)ect to a$ acid attac follo#i$g her refusal to marry the

accused. *s a result of the attac the victim+s arms, face a$d other )ody parts

#ere severely disfigured a$d deformed. Though the victim a$d her pare$ts

#ere-are poor they #ere fortu$ately helped )y a )e$efactor #ho )ore the medical

e"pe$ses appro"imati$g to Rs. 2. !ahs. /o#ever, eve$ after plastic surgeries

the victim+s physical appeara$ce remai$s horrific a$d ma$y more surgeries #ould

)e reuired to mae her physical appeara$ce a sem)la$ce of #hat it #as. The

victim ca$ of course $ever loo as she did )efore the attac.

Though acid attac is a crime #hich ca$ )e committed agai$st a$y ma$ or

#oma$, it has a specific ge$der dime$sio$ i$ '$dia. (ost of the reported acid

attacs have )ee$ committed o$ #ome$, particularly you$g #ome$ for spur$i$g

suitors, for reecti$g proposals of marriage, for de$yi$g do#ry etc. The attacer

ca$$ot )ear the fact that he has )ee$ reected a$d sees to destroy the )ody of the

#oma$ #ho has dared to sta$d up to him.

Thus, acid thro#i$g is a$ e"tremely viole$t crime )y #hich the perpetrator of the

crime sees to i$flict severe physical a$d me$tal sufferi$g o$ his victim. *s stated

a)ove this i$d of viole$ce is ofte$ motivated )y deepseated ealousy or feeli$gs

of reve$ge agai$st a #oma$. 3or i$sta$ce, i$ 4a$gladesh 58 perce$t of the

reported acid viole$ce is i$flicted o$ #ome$ #ith the most commo$ reaso$s for

attac )ei$g the refusal of marriage, the de$ial of se", a$d the reectio$ of

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roma$ce.1 The acid is usually thro#$ at the victim+s face. The perpetrator #a$ts

to disfigure the victims a$d tur$ them i$to a mo$ster. *side from the reaso$s

stated a)ove the other reaso$s for acid attacs i$clude ro))ery, la$d disputes etc.

7erpetrators of the crime act cruelly a$d deli)erately. *cid viole$ce is a

premeditated act of viole$ce as the perpetrator of the crime carries out the attac

)y first o)tai$i$g the acid, carryi$g it o$ him a$d the$ stali$g the victim )efore

e"ecuti$g the act.

3urthermore, a$ acid attac has lo$glasti$g co$seue$ces o$ the life of the victim

#ho faces perpetual torture, perma$e$t damage a$d other pro)lems for the rest of

her life. ictims $ormally feel #orthless, afraid a$d modified a$d )ecome social

outcasts )ecause of their appeara$ce. They may )ecome too traumatied a$d

em)arrassed to #al out of their house a$d carry out simple tass let alo$e get

married, have childre$, get a o), go to school, etc. :ve$ if they are #illi$g to

pursue a $ormal life, there is $o guara$tee that society itself #ill treat them as

$ormal huma$ )ei$gs give$ their appeara$ce a$d disa)ilities after a$ attac. They

may $ot )e a)le to #or, or )e a)le to fi$d a o), a$d thus perpetually struggle to

survive.2

't has )ee$ co$te$ded )y those #ori$g for these victims that the &rimi$al la#

relati$g to grievous hurts i$ %ectio$s 20, 22, 2 a$d 26 of the '$dia$ 7e$al

&ode ;'.7.&< is i$sufficie$t to deal #ith the phe$ome$o$ of acid attacs. %ectio$

20 deals #ith grievous hurt a$d reads as u$der

Setion 7)+$ =rie8ous hurt$ The follo#i$g i$ds of hurt o$ly are desig$ated as

=grievous=>

First. :masculatio$.

Secondly. 7erma$e$t privatio$ of the sight of either eye.

Thirdly. 7erma$e$t privatio$ of the heari$g of either ear, Fourthly. 7rivatio$ of a$y mem)er or oi$t.

3ifthly.?estructio$ or perma$e$t impairi$g of the po#ers of a$y mem)er or oi$t

1 1.*cid %urvivors 3ou$datio$. Acid Throwing Fact Sheet . ?haa, 4a$gladesh, 2001

2 Baseline Survey with International Comparative Analysis of the Legal Aspects of Acid Violencein ganda! &ommissio$ed )y> *cid %urvivors 3ou$datio$ @ga$da #ith fu$di$g support from the@% ?emocracy A /uma$ Rights 3u$d, !egal &o$sulta$t> Rachel 3orster , Novem)er, 200

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Si"thly. 7erma$e$t disfiguratio$ of the head or face.

Seventhly. 3racture or dislocatio$ of a )o$e or tooth.

#ighthly. *$y hurt #hich e$da$gers life or #hich causes the sufferer to )e

duri$g the space of t#e$ty days i$ severe )odily pai$, or u$a)le to follo# his

ordi$ary pursuits.

This defi$itio$ of grievous hurt has )ee$ criticied as the defi$itio$ does $ot tae

#ithi$ its purvie# the various i$ds of deli)erate hurt that is i$flicted o$

importa$t parts of a female+s )ody $or does this defi$itio$ apply to offe$ces lie

acid attac i$ #hich multiple types of grievous hurts occur.

%ectio$ 221

'7& defi$es volu$tarily causi$g grievous hurt a$d %ectio$ 2

'7& provides for pu$ishme$t for grievous hurt. The offe$ce is pu$isha)le )y

impriso$me$t upto seve$ years a$d is cog$ia)le, )aila)le, a$d compou$da)le as

#ell as )ei$g tria)le )y a first class (agistrate. The offe$ce of grievous hurt is $ot

caused u$less the offe$der )oth causes grievous hurt a$d i$te$ds, or $o#s

himself to )e liely, to cause grievous hurt

%ectio$ 26 of the '$dia$ 7e$al &ode #hich applies i$ cases of volu$tarily

causi$g grievous hurt )y mea$s of a$y corrosive su)sta$ce is pu$isha)le #ith

impriso$me$t for life or #ith impriso$me$t of either descriptio$ for a term #hich

may e"te$d to 10 years a$d fi$e. Thus, pu$ishme$t for volu$tarily causi$g

grievous hurt eve$ )y corrosive su)sta$ces lie *cid ca$ )e impriso$me$t for life

or #ith impriso$me$t for a term #hich may e"te$d to 10 years. 't has )ee$ argued

that this period of pu$ishme$t does $ot match the gravity of the offe$ce.

1 Setion 7))$ 1oluntaril" ausin! !rie8ous hurt$> Bhoever volu$tarily causes hurt, if the hurt #hich

the i$te$ds to cause or $o#s himself to )e liely to cause is grievous hurt, a$d if the hurt #hich he causes isgrievous hurt, is said to Cvolu$tarily to cause grievous hurt.=

#"planation. * perso$ is $ot said volu$tarily to cause grievous hurt e"cept #he$ he )oth causes grievoushurt a$d i$te$ds or $o#s himself to )e liely to cause grievous hurt. 4ut he is said volu$tarily to causegrievous hurt, if i$te$di$g or $o#i$g himself to )e liely to cause grievous hurt of o$e i$dD he actuallycauses grievous hurt of a$other i$d.

Setion 7)


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The petitio$ argues that though i$ some cases lie the petitio$er+s case %ectio$

05 of the '.7.& has )ee$ applied, eve$ this is $ot e$ough as courts te$d to gra$t

)ail easily i$ cases of %ec.05 '.7.& a$d me$s rea is e"tremely difficult to prove.

The !a"mi Brit petitio$ further states that compe$satio$ to victims of acid

attacs is of vital importa$ce as huge medical costs are ofte$ i$volved. The

victims of acid attac $eed )oth short term as #ell as lo$g term specialied

medical treatme$ts a$d plastic surgeries. The provisio$s i$ the '$dia$ la# for

givi$g compe$satio$ to the victims are i$sufficie$t. The #rit petitio$ therefore

prays that>

• *$ ame$dme$t )e made i$ the '$dia$ 7e$al &ode, :vide$ce *ct a$d the

&rimi$al 7rocedure &ode for deali$g #ith acid attac as a special offe$ceD

•Euideli$es )e framed a$d a$ act )e passed to atte$d to the $eeds of all theacid attac victims i$ '$diaD

• * committee )e co$stituted a$d appoi$ted for adopti$g measures for the

proper treatme$t, aftercare a$d reha)ilitatio$ of the victims of acid attacsD

• That acid i$ all forms )e made a scheduled )a$$ed chemical #hich is $ot

readily availa)le over the cou$ter.

't is therefore importa$t to e"ami$e a$d a$alyse the various provisio$s of the'$dia$ 7e$al &ode to see #hether the la# as it e"ists i$ '$dia is sufficie$t to deal

#ith the phe$ome$o$ of acid attacs. The !a# &ommissio$ has also e"ami$ed

the la#s relati$g to acid attacs i$ differe$t cou$tries )efore givi$g its

recomme$datio$s, )oth for pu$ishi$g the perpetrators of these attacs a$d for

mo$etary a$d eco$omic reha)ilitatio$ of the victim of the attac.

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CHA%.3R II

A 6rief O8er8ie0

A Statistial O8er8ie0?Bhile very little data is availa)le o$ acid attacs i$ '$dia some studies have

reported a$ i$creasi$g tre$d i$ cases relati$g to acid attac. *ccordi$g to a study

15 cases of acid attac #ere reported i$ '$dia i$ 2000. This #as a per capita

i$cide$ce of a)out 1-1 of that of 4a$gladesh, #hich has the highest i$cide$ce

rate as #ell as the highest $um)er of acid attac cases i$ the #orld. /o#ever, the

a)solute $um)er of cases #as approachi$g those of 4a$gladesh.6

cases of acid attacs #ere reported i$ Far$ataa )et#ee$ 1999 a$d 2005. This

figure does $ot i$clude victims that do $ot report their case )ecause they fear

further viole$ce or )ei$g socially stigmatied. '$ this regard, the &ampaig$ a$d

%truggle *gai$st *cid *ttacs o$ Bome$ ;&%***B< $oted o$e i$cide$ce i$

4a$galore i$ July 200 that #as $ot i$cluded as part of the reported cases partly

)ecause the victim a$d her family have opted $ot to go pu)lic #ith their trauma8.

The $um)er of cases added up to )y 2006 i$ Far$ataa a$d, as reported )y the

&%***B, verdicts #ere give$ i$ o$ly 9 of these cases9. * $e#spaper report

10

put the total $um)er of acid attacs as 60 )y 2005 i$ Far$ataa alo$e addi$g 8

more cases till 3e)ruary 2005.

'$ most of these cases /ydrochloric a$d sulphuric acid #ere used a$d all the

victims #ere #ome$. The victims i$ Far$ataa #ere very you$g #ome$ )et#ee$

16 a$d 2 years of age, a$d #ere attaced )y me$ $o#$ to them. (ost attacs

too place i$ pu)lic places or at home.11

6 Acid Attac$s% Bangladesh&s #fforts to Stop the Violence! Jorda$ %#a$so$, /arvard /ealth 7olicy

Revie# *rchives, %pri$g 2002D ol , No 15 Burnt 'ot (efeated! Report )y &%***B, *pril 2005, &%***B 4a$galore pu)licatio$

8 The /i$du, Another Face of Violence! 1.08.200

9

The /i$du, )IL filed for steps to cur* acid attac$s! 20.09.200610 The /i$du ! The +acid test,% will -overnment regulate sale of deadly chemicals! 4ageshree %.

a$d (.. &ha$drashehar, 3e)ruary 200511

?ecca$ /erald Ne#s %ervice, 4a$galore, Acid test of /umanity! 4ala &hauha$

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These cases sho#ed the i$d of i$uries that victims of acid attac suffered. The

i$uries ra$ge from )ur$s to perma$e$t disfigureme$t to death. '$ ma$y acid

attacs the victim suffers a slo# a$d pai$ful death. G$ the other ha$d, some

victims #ho do survive the attac lie /asi$a12

;i$ *pril 1999< a$d %hruti ;i$

Gcto)er 2001< are perma$e$tly disfigured, maimed a$d co$fi$ed to homes for

life.1

*cid attac survivors are physically, psychologically a$d socially

traumatied. The physical e"te$ts of their i$uries are deep, perma$e$t a$d have a

direct impact o$ their psychological #ell)ei$g a$d social fu$ctio$ality.

/ydrochloric, %ulphuric a$d other acids all have a catastrophic effect o$ huma$

flesh. These corrosive su)sta$ces cause the si$ tissue to melt. The )o$es of

victims )ecome e"posed a$d sometimes the acid dissolves the )o$es too.

7erma$e$t scars as ca$ )e see$ i$ /asi$a+s1

case disfigure a huma$ )ei$g+s )ody

for life. 3urthermore, if acid e$ters the eyes of the victim duri$g a$ attac, as is

commo$ i$ acid attac cases, it damages these vital orga$s perma$e$tly. (a$y

acid attac survivors have lost the use of o$e or )oth eyes.

*s a result of disfigureme$t a$d disa)ility victims are perma$e$tly de)ilitated a$d

are forced to give up their lives, their #or, their educatio$. '$ this regard,

compe$satio$ to cover vital surgeries for victims #ho ca$ $o lo$ger support

themselves )ecomes imperative.

/o#ever aside from compe$satio$ there are other poi$ts as #ell that the la#

should )e se$sitied to #he$ it comes to deali$g #ith acid attac victims. '$ a$

i$tervie# #ith the /i$du $e#spaper &%***B+s la#yer, %heela Rama$atha$,

poi$ted out that acid attac victims had to )e ha$dled separately as their situatio$

e$tails a series of Cmedical complicatio$s, social stigma, psychological trauma,

ge$der )ias a$d a complete loss of livelihood.H1

(s. Rama$atha$ particularly

dre# atte$tio$ to the medical $eglige$ce o$ these victims> =(edical a#are$ess o$

the mode of treatme$t is also a)ysmal,= =;t


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oil has )ee$ applied o$ the affected area a$d the victim #rapped i$ )la$ets. %uch

misha$dli$g ca$ cause irrepara)le damage.=16

Aid atta/s and their Conse@uenes

*s stated earlier acid attacs are a form of viole$ce agai$st #ome$, #here the

perpetrator splashes a perso$ or o)ect #ith acid i$ order to deface or ill them.15

*lthough acid thro#i$g, also $o#$ as vitriol age, has )ee$ a form of viole$ce

$o#$ to )e committed throughout history, there has )ee$ a steep rise i$ the cases

docume$ted i$ rece$t years, particularly i$ certai$ %outh *sia$ cou$tries. %ome

of this i$crease has )ee$ attri)uted to )etter docume$tatio$ of cases a$d also to

the fact that victims of attacs have )egu$ to report a$ attac more ofte$.

/o#ever, there appears to )e a su)sta$tive i$crease i$ the $um)er of acid attacs

that are )ei$g committed i$ rece$t times due to various factors.

*cid attacs are see$ as o$e of the most vicious crimes as it causes perpetual

sufferi$g to the victim. *s acid melts flesh a$d eve$ the )o$es of a perso$, it

causes a$ u$paralleled degree of pai$ to the victim a$d leaves her mutilated a$d

scarred as #ell as givi$g perma$e$t disa)ilities at times such as )li$d$ess.

ictims face lifetime physical, social, psychological a$d eco$omic co$seue$ces.

%ome of the #ell $o#$ effects of acid are as u$der>

• *cids are corrosive su)sta$ces that #ill cause visi)le $ecrosis ;death< of

huma$ si$ tissue a$d #ill eve$ corrode a metal i$ higher co$ce$tratio$.

• They ca$ cause serious poiso$i$g, )ur$i$g a$d serious i$ury ca$ result

from e"posure to stro$g acids.

• &ommo$ly availa)le acids i$clude %ulphuric acid, /ydrochloric acid

/ydrofluoric acid, 7hospaic acid etc. *cids are used i$ la)oratories a$d

factories-i$dustries.

• '$ a$ acid attac the si$ is the mai$ orga$ of co$tact. The effects of acid

o$ the si$ may i$clude red$ess, a$d )ur$s. '$ severe cases, it could lead

to shoc a$d death. %ome other effects i$clude perma$e$t hair loss a$d

16 ')id

15

15 Biipedia :$cyclopedia

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scari$g. 'f i$haled i$ large ua$tity it ca$ also lead to pulmo$ary

disorders.

The co$seue$ces of acid attac have )ee$ #ell docume$ted a$d i$clude the

follo#i$g18

>

'NJ@R':% *N? 7/I%'&*! &GN%:@:N&:%>

*cid eats through t#o layers of the si$, i.e. the fat a$d muscle u$der$eath, a$d

sometimes $ot o$ly eats through to the )o$e )ut it may eve$ dissolve the )o$e.

The deep$ess of i$ury depe$ds o$ the stre$gth of the acid a$d the duratio$ of

co$tact #ith the si$. 4ur$i$g co$ti$ues u$til the acid is thoroughly #ashed off

#ith #ater.

Thro#$ o$ a perso$+s face, acid rapidly eats i$to eyes, ears, $ose a$d mouth.

:yelids a$d lips may )ur$ off completely. The $ose may melt, closi$g the $ostrils,

a$d ears shrivel up.

*cid ca$ uicly destroy the eyes, )li$di$g the victim. %i$ a$d )o$e o$ the sull,

forehead, chees a$d chi$ may dissolve. Bhe$ the acid splashes or drips over the

$ec, chest, )ac, arms or legs, it )ur$s every#here it touches.

The )iggest immediate da$ger for victims is )reathi$g failure. '$halatio$ of acid

vapors ca$ create )reathi$g pro)lems i$ t#o #ays> i.e. )y causi$g a poiso$ous

reactio$ i$ the lu$gs or )y s#elli$g the $ec, #hich co$stricts the air#ay a$d

stra$gles the victim.

Bhe$ the )ur$s from a$ acid attac heal, they form thic scars #hich pull the si$very tight a$d ca$ cause disfigureme$ts. 3or i$sta$ce, eyelids may $o lo$ger

close, the mouth may $o lo$ger ope$D a$d the chi$ )ecomes #elded to the chest.

The follo#i$g i$formatio$ o$ physical co$seue$ces has )ee$ descri)ed )y a$

NEG19

>

18 Living in the Shadows% Acid Attac$s in Cam*odia!

200 !'&*?/G Report

19 Medecins Du Monde and doctors at Calmette hospital in Phnom Penh

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Skull: May be partly destroyed or deformed. Hair is often lost.

Forehead: Skin may shrink, as though stretched tightly, and be scarred.

Ears: Shriveled up and deformed. Deafness may occur immediately or later.

Cartilage in the ear is usually partly or totally destroyed, exposing the victim to future

infection and hearing loss.

Eyes: Direct acid contact or acid vapors can damage eyes, causing blindness.

ven if the eyes survive the acid attack, they remain vulnerable to other threats !hich can

cause blindness during the victim"s recovery. yelids may have been burned off, or may

be deformed by scarring, leaving the eyes to dry up and go blind. #his is very difficult to

prevent.

Nose: Shrunken and deformed. $ostrils may close completely because the cartilage is

destroyed.

Cheeks: Scarred and deformed.

Mouth: Shrunken and narro!ed, and may lose its shape. %ips may be partly or totally

destroyed. %ips may be permanently flared, exposing the teeth. Movement of the lips,

mouth and face may be impaired. ating can be difficult.

Chin: Scarred and deformed. #he scars may run do!n!ard, !elding the chin to the neck

or chest.

Neck: &ften badly damaged. 't may have a thick cord of scarred flesh running do!n from

the chin to the upper chest, or a !ide, heavily(scarred area on one side of the neck.

)ictim may be unable to extend the neck, or the head may constantly lean to one side.

Chest: &ften badly scarred. #he chest may have narro! lines of scars or !ide patches of

scars from acid splashes or drips. 'n girls and young !omen, the development of their breasts may be stopped, or their breasts may be destroyed completely.

Shoulder: May be badly scarred, especially around the underarm, !hich may limit the

victim"s arm movement. 'n some cases, one or both of the victim"s upper arms may be

stuck like glue to the sides of their body.

TR:*T(:NT

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The first thi$g that should )e do$e #he$ the acid gets i$ co$tact #ith the si$ is to

flush the )ur$ed flesh #ith #ater for at least 60 mi$utes a$d to #ash off the acid

#ith #ater for as lo$g as possi)le.

:merge$cy treatme$t at hospitals should i$clude clea$i$g a$d )a$dagi$g the

)ur$s, a$d relievi$g a$y )reathi$g pro)lems caused )y acid fumes.

'$fectio$ is a maor da$ger )ecause the dead tissue arou$d deep )ur$s )ecomes

easily i$fected a$d preve$ts the )ur$s from heali$g. '$fectio$ may spread to the

healthy part of the si$, a$d may eve$ ill the victim a$d it ca$ attac the victim

at a$y stage duri$g the #ees a$d mo$ths right after the attac. Thus the #ou$ds

$eed to )e ept clea$ a$d a$ti)iotics $eed to )e give$ to fight i$fectio$.

The eyes are very vul$era)le to i$fectio$ a$d ca$ cause )li$d$ess. (ost importa$tis to e$sure that victims ca$ close their eyes, preve$ti$g them from )ecomi$g dry

a$d i$fected. %urgery may )e $eeded to re)uild the eyelids, if they #ere destroyed

)y acid, or remove thic scars arou$d the eyes as )ur$s heal.

:ati$g e$ough food is vital )ecause victims+ )odies reuire a lot of e$ergy to fight

i$fectio$ a$d heal the #ou$ds. This may )e difficult if the victim has )ur$s

arou$d the mouth a$d has difficulty s#allo#i$g, or ca$$ot afford the $ecessary

diet.

't ca$ tae to 12 mo$ths for )ur$ #ou$ds to heal. Thic scars, #hich are pai$ful

a$d itchy, gro# over the healed )ur$s. The scars gro# a$d cha$ge over 1 to 2

years. *s the scars thice$ a$d co$tract, they ca$ cause perma$e$t disa)ility )y

stiffe$i$g oi$ts a$d restricti$g moveme$t. 3or e"ample, the scarri$g o$ the $ec

a$d shoulders, ca$ preve$t a patie$t from movi$g his head or arms. ?octors may

$eed to perform ma$y operatio$s to release the scars a$d graft $e# si$ over

them. %cars may also gro# over the $ostrils or ear ca$als, a$d surgery is reuired

to remove them.

!o$g periods of physical therapy are $eeded to mi$imie victims+ lac of

moveme$t from scarri$g, a$d special elastic )a$dages ca$ dramatically reduce the

thic$ess a$d stiff$ess of scars.

The fi$al stage of treatme$t is to try to restore the appeara$ce of the victim as

much as possi)le. 4y $o#, the #ou$ds must have healed completely a$d the full

e"te$t of scarri$g a$d deformities of the )ody must )e visi)le. The victim may

reuire ma$y operatio$s over a period of t#o to three years.

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7%I&/G!GE'&*! &GN%:@:N&:%

ictims of attacs do $ot o$ly u$dergo severe physical trauma )ut also u$dergo

traumatic cha$ges i$ the #ay they feel a$d thi$. 7sychological trauma is caused

)y )oth the terror victims suffer duri$g the attac, as they feel their si$ )ur$i$g

a#ay, a$d after the attac )y the disfigureme$t or disa)ilities that they have to

live #ith for the rest of their lives. ictims suffer psychological symptoms such as

depressio$, i$som$ia, $ightmares, fear a)out a$other attac a$d-or fear a)out

faci$g the outside #orld, headaches, #ea$ess a$d tired$ess, difficulty i$

co$ce$trati$g a$d remem)eri$g thi$gs, etc. They feel perpetually depressed,

ashamed, #orried, a$d lo$ely.

ictims suffer severe psychological symptoms for years, if $ot forever,

)ecause they are remi$ded every day of their physical scars. The feeli$g of lac of

hope a$d #orth may $ever leave them.

%G&'*! *N? :&GNG('& &GN%::@N&:%

ictims face a lifetime of discrimi$atio$ from society a$d they )ecome

lo$ely. They are em)arrassed that people may stare or laugh at them a$d may

hesitate to leave their homes feari$g a$ adverse reactio$ from the outside #orld.

ictims #ho are $ot married are $ot liely to get married a$d those victims #ho

have got serious disa)ilities )ecause of a$ attac, lie )li$d$ess, #ill $ot fi$d o)s

a$d ear$ a livi$g. ?iscrimi$atio$ from other people, or disa)ilities such as

)li$d$ess, maes it very difficult for victims to fe$d for themselves a$d they

)ecome depe$de$t o$ others for food a$d mo$ey.

't has therefore )ee$ argued that acid attacs $eed to )e classified as a separate

offe$ce a$d harsher pu$ishme$t $eeds to )e prescri)ed. 't has )ee$ further stated

that the $e# la# must i$clude guideli$es for ha$dli$g-supporti$g victims

eco$omically, socially, a$d psychologically as #ell as compe$satio$. 't is

releva$t to me$tio$ that i$ 2006 &%***B filed a 7u)lic '$terest !itigatio$ i$ the

Far$ataa /igh &ourt seei$g a court order to the %tate Eover$me$t to e$sure

speedy a$d ge$derse$sitive trials for victims of acid attacs as #ell as )etter

medical treatme$t a$d reha)ilitatio$. The &%***B also dema$ded the

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productio$, distri)utio$ a$d storage of to"ic acids )e strictly mo$itored )y the

%tate.20

'$fact si$ce acid is so readily availa)le across the cou$ter i$ medical a$d other

stores, acid attacs )ecome a relatively cheap a$d effective #ay of committi$g

acts of viole$ce agai$st #ome$. '$ a ra$dom chec carried out )y The /i$du

$e#spaper i$ Far$ataa i$ 2005, the researchers fou$d that )uyi$g C/ydrochloric

acid is as easy as cheap as )uyi$g a )ar of soap.H * litre of acid goes at a$y#here

)et#ee$ Rs. 16 a$d Rs. 2 a$d ca$ )e )ought at various locatio$s i$cludi$g

Nagaratpet, Ragipet a$d Raa (aret.21

There is ho#ever $o la# to regulate acid sales e"cept for the (a$ufacture,

%torage a$d 'mport of /aardous &hemicals Rules, 1989 ;ame$ded i$ 2000< a$d

this o$ly applies to i$dustrial situatio$s.22 3urthermore there are $o regular

i$spectio$s a$d stoc checi$g for acid sales as there are for e"plosives.2

't has )ee$ argued )y some that co$trolli$g or regulati$g acid sales is a$

impossi)le tas, as acid is used for ma$y thi$gs i$cludi$g car )atteries etc. Thus,

the deterre$ce should come i$ the form of stri$ge$t la#s that pu$ish the

perpetrators. /o#ever, 4a$gladesh, a cou$try #ith the highest i$cide$t rate of acid attacs, has passed a la# i$ 2002 to co$trol acid sales. Thus, *cid viole$ce

ca$ )e tacled o$ )oth fro$ts simulta$eously #ith a harsher pu$ishme$t o$ the

perpetrator as #ell co$trolli$g the sale of acid to stop it from getti$g i$to the

ha$ds of the crimi$al. 4esides as a mem)er &%***B perhaps rightly said, it

is u$co$scio$a)le Cho# a$y respo$si)le democracy ca$ cite difficulty i$

regulatio$ as a$ e"cuse for $ot frami$g la#s.H2

'$ter$atio$al commerce of sulphuric acid is co$trolled u$der the @$ited Natio$s

&o$ve$tio$ *gai$st 'llicit Traffic i$ Narcotic ?rugs a$d 7sychotropic %u)sta$ces,

1988, #hich lists sulfuric acid u$der Ta)le '' of the co$ve$tio$ as a chemical

20 The /i$du ! Acid Attac$ victims yet to get assistance! 25.0.2005

21 ')id.

22 ')id.

2 ')id.

2 ')id.

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freue$tly used i$ the illicit ma$ufacture of $arcotic drugs or psychotropic

su)sta$ces.

The $e"t chapter therefore discusses ho# the courts i$ '$dia have dealt #ith the

issue of acid attacs a$d #hat the cases sho#.

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'$ a$other case25

)efore the /o$+)le %upreme &ourt i$ 195, acid #as poured o$

a #oma$ )y her hus)a$d for refusi$g to gra$t him divorce. The hus)a$d #as

i$volved i$ a$ e"tramarital affair. ?ue to the attac, the victim suffered multiple

acid )ur$s o$ her face a$d other parts of her )ody, leadi$g to her death. The

accused #as charged a$d co$victed u$der %ectio$ 02 of the '7&. /o#ever, life

impriso$me$t #as $ot imposed eve$ though the victim had died.

'$ a case )efore the (adras /igh &ourt28

, a perso$ suspected his #ife had

developed a$ illicit relatio$ship #ith o$e of his acuai$ta$ces. '$ that fit of a$ger

he thre# acid o$ her resulti$g i$ severe )ur$s a$d death of the victim. The

hus)a$d #as co$victed u$der %ec 02 '7& a$d 1 '7& ;causi$g miscarriage of a

#oma$ #ithout her co$se$t< #ith life impriso$me$t a$d a fi$e of Rs. 2000. The

fi$e #as thus agai$ a meager amou$t.

'$ (evanand Vs.The State 29

a ma$ thre# acid o$ his estra$ged #ife )ecause she

refused to coha)it #ith him. The #ife suffered perma$e$t disfigureme$t a$d loss

of o$e eye. The accused #as co$victed u$der %ectio$ 05 a$d #as impriso$ed for

5 years. 0

'$ a case )efore the &alcutta /igh &ourt1

the accused had made a previous

a)ortive attempt to thro# acid o$ the victim a$d succeeded o$ a seco$d attempt.

The motive for the crime #as reve$ge as the victim had re)uffed the overtures of

the mai$ accused Ramesh. The accused alo$g #ith t#o others #e$t to the victims

house a$d thre# a )ottle of acid o$ the victim outside her house #here she, her

mother, her au$t a$d her little so$ #ere sitti$g. The victim, her mother, her au$t

a$d her so$ sustai$ed i$ury. The victim 7adma died due to e"te$sive acid )ur$s

o$ the $ec, chest, right al$a, )reasts, legs, $ees a$d scalp. /er au$t received

2K )ur$s a$d her au$t+s so$ received 11K )ur$s. The additio$al sessio$s Judge

25 2evinder Singh Vs. State of /arayana;*'R 195 %& 86<

28 Balu Vs. State 2epresented Inspector of police decided o$ 26-10-2006

29 ;1985 ;1< &rimes 1<

0 %ee also eerla %taya$aray$a s %tate of *.7 2002;%upp


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a#arded impriso$me$t for life a$d a fi$e for Rs. 000 u$der %ectio$ 02 a$d

of the '7&. The appella$ts #ere also co$victed u$der %. 2- '7& a$d se$te$ced

to R.'. for o$e year a$d to pay a fi$e of Rs. 1,000- each i$ default to suffer %.'. for

t#o mo$ths. 4oth se$te$ces #ere to ru$ co$curre$tly. The /igh &ourt o$ appeal

ho#ever, set aside the co$victio$ a$d se$te$ce agai$st the other t#o accused )y

stati$g that there #as $o evide$ce to sho# they had a commo$ i$te$tio$ a$d their

prese$ce #ith the accused o$ the sce$e of the crime #as $ot e$ough.2

'$ Srimanthula Chinna Sathaiah and Anr. Vs. State of A.) ;;

e$mity developed

)et#ee$ t#o me$. The accused #as suspicious that the other perso$ had falsely

implicated him i$ a case. /e also suspected that his #ife #as havi$g a$ affair #ith

the victim+s elder so$. *s a reve$ge the accused thre# acid o$ the victim, #hich

resulted i$ severe acid )ur$s o$ the face a$d )ody. The accused #as charged

u$der %ectio$ 02 a$d of the '7& a$d #as a#arded rigorous impriso$me$t for

life.

'$ some cases #hich are targeted agai$st #ome$ do#ry a$d property ca$ )e the

reaso$s for acid attacs. 7roperty a$d la$d disputes a$d sometimes reve$ge

ca$

prove to )e a motive for acid attacs agai$st me$. 't appears that the idea that

acid is a$ easy effective method of harmi$g a$d illi$g e$emies ca$ spread to

ge$eral attacs agai$st )oth #ome$ a$d me$.

'$ case )efore the %upreme &ourt of '$dia

the accused #as the hus)a$d of the

deceased, %ushila a$d #a$ted to ill her a$d their daughters, 4i$du a$d Na$di$i

to gra) property as he #as the immediate )e$eficiary to her estate. /e poured acid

over her to ill her. %he received e"te$sive )ur$ i$uries o$ large parts of their

)odies i$cludi$g the face, chest, $ec, etc. *ccordi$g to the ?octor the death #as

due to the corrosive acid )ur$s a$d shoc. The /igh &ourt co$victed the

appella$ts Ram &harittar a$d Fishori !al u$der %ectio$ 02- '7&, a$d

se$te$ced them to life impriso$me$t. The appeal for their acuittal #as dismissed

)y the /o$+)le %upreme &ourt. No compe$satio$ #as a#arded to the victims.

2 %ee also Smt. Bhagwan 0uar Vs 0rishna 8ahara


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'$ a$other case6

)efore the (adras /igh &ourt a $urse a$d a compou$der

co$spired a$d poured a mi"ture of acid a$d erose$e over a doctor as reve$ge for

a$ alleged rape )y him of the $urse. The doctor sustai$ed 100K )ur$ i$uries a$d

later e"pired due to them. The accused #ere charged u$der %ec 02 a$d 109 of the

'7& )ut #ere acuitted for the lac of evide$ce.

'$ a case )efore the %upreme &ourt5

i$ a dispute )et#ee$ the deceased a$d

accused regardi$g e$croachme$t, the accused poured acid o$ the deceased a$d

this caused severe acid )ur$s resulti$g i$ death. The mai$ accused #as charged

u$der %ectio$ 02 of the '7& a$d a#arded rigorous impriso$me$t for life.

(a$y cases i$ #hich death does$+t occur get registered u$der the sectio$s related

to hurt a$d grievous hurt a$d $ot attempt to murder as $o i$te$tio$ of illi$g or

$o#ledge that the offe$ce is liely to cause death is attri)uted to the accused.

'$ a case )efore the Jharha$d /igh &ourt8

the victim #as sta$di$g #ith her

frie$d at a 4us %top i$ ?ha$)ad. The *ppella$t came a$d poured acid over her

head a$d face.The appella$t had a photograph of the victim a$d #as )lacmaili$g

her )ut she refused to accede to his dema$ds. The victim suffered )ur$ i$uries

over the left side of her eye, $ec a$d chest a$d had to )e hospitalied. * case #as

registered u$der %ectio$s 2, 26, 05 '7&. The police i$vestigated the case a$d

fi$ally su)mitted a chargesheet agai$st the appella$t u$der the aforesaid sectio$s.

The lear$ed 2$d *dditio$al %essio$s Judge, ?ha$)ad held the appella$t guilty

u$der %ectio$ 2 '7& a$d co$victed a$d se$te$ced him to u$dergo R' for three

years. The appella$t+s co$victio$ #as upheld )y the /o$+)le /igh &ourt. No

compe$satio$ #hatsoever #as a#arded to the victim. '$ this case the court seems

to have )ee$ guided )y the $ature of i$uries #hich i$ its opi$io$ did $ot amou$t

to grievous hurt.9

6 8ahesh and )arimaladevi Vs. State! ?ecided o$ 10--200 )y the (adras /igh &ourt

5 Barati Vs. State of .).;*'R 195 %& 89<

8 *#adhesh Roy s. %tate of Jharha$d ;?ecided o$ 12-6-2006<

9 %ee also %tude$ts of *.7.*.@ a$d (iss *$uradha, %tude$t s The Registrar, *.7.*.@,

N.%ree$i#asa Reddy, %tude$t a$d Grs. ;1995;1< *!T 5<

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'$ o$e of the most famous cases i$volvi$g acid attac 0

the accused thre# acid o$

a girl, /asi$a, for refusi$g his o) offer. This deeply scarred her physical

appeara$ce, cha$ged the colour a$d appeara$ce of her face a$d left her )li$d. The

accused #as co$victed u$der %ectio$ 05 of '7& a$d se$te$ced to impriso$me$t

for life. * compe$satio$ of Rs. 2,00,000- i$ additio$ to the Trial &ourt fi$e of Rs

,00,000 #as to )e paid )y the accused to /asi$a+s pare$ts.

This #as a la$dmar case as it #as the first time that a compe$satio$ #hich #as

uite a large sum #as give$ to the victim to meet the medical e"pe$ses i$cludi$g

that of plastic surgeries. /o#ever, $o compe$satio$ #as a#arded for the after

effects of the attac such as loss of i$come etc.

'$ a case from ?elhi1

the accused thre# acid o$ the victims face. The liuid

splashed or her face produced some red$ess ;erythema< o$ the si$ over a part

of her face i$volvi$g her upper eyelids. There #as $o corrosio$, of the si$ or

other deformity. The accused #as co$victed for causi$g hurt u$der %ectio$ 2 of

the '7& a$d a meager fi$e of Rs. 00 alo$g #ith 1 days impriso$me$t #as

a#arded. This sort of pu$ishme$t for acid attac is i$ itself a mocery of sorts a$d

does $ot tae i$to co$sideratio$ the gravity of the crime a$d its after effects lie

trauma #hich affects the victim throughout her life.

'$ %yed %hafiue *hmed s. %tate of (aharashtra2

perso$al e$emity #ith his

#ife #as the reaso$ )ehi$d a gruesome acid attac )y the hus)a$d o$ his #ife as

#ell as a$other perso$ . This caused disfiguratio$ of the face of )oth the #ife as

#ell as that of the other perso$ a$d loss of visio$ of right eye of #ife. The

accused #as charged u$der %ectio$ 26 a$d 2 of the '7& a$d #as a#arded Rs

000 as fi$e a$d years impriso$me$t. This case agai$ sho#s that the pu$ishme$t

that is ofte$ a#arded does $ot tae i$to accou$t the deli)erate a$d gruesome

$ature of the attac a$d rests o$ tech$icalities of i$uries.

0 State of 0arnata$a *y 1alahalli )olice Station vs. 1oseph 2odrigues S4o V.. 2odrigues

;?ecided i$ the /o$+)le /igh &ourt of Ferala o$ 22-8-2006<

1 State=(elhi Administration Vs. 8ewa Singh ;1969< ?!T 06

2 2002 &ri!J10

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'$ a$other case

due to e$emity acid #as poured )y a mother a$d so$ duo over

the victims. G$e of the victim suffered from multiple acid )ur$s o$ the #hole

)ac e"te$di$g from scapular spi$e to iliac crest. The other victim suffered

&hemical )ur$s o$ the right side forehead ust a)ove medial e$d of right eye

)ro# a$d the si$ )lace$ed. /e also suffered from multiple acid )ur$ o$

the lateral aspect of left upper arm a$d si$ #as )lace$ed apart from other

)ur$s. The accused #ere co$victed u$der %ectio$ 0 ;pu$ishme$t for culpa)le

homicide $ot amou$ti$g to murder< a$d 2- '7& ;pu$ishme$t for volu$tarily

causi$g hurt #ith commo$ i$te$tio$


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CHA%.3R ;

La0 in Other Countries

Aid 1iolene in Other Countries? A Situational Anal"sis

*cid attacs have )ee$ docume$ted i$ various differe$t parts of the #orld

i$cludi$g *ustralia, 4a$gladesh, &am)odia, &hi$a, :l %alvador, :thiopia, 'taly,

!aos, (alaysia, Nepal, 7aista$, %ri !a$a, Thaila$d, @ga$da, @F, @%*, a$d

iet$am. /o#ever, the $um)er of i$cide$ces i$ 4a$gladesh, '$dia, 7aista$,

&am)odia a$d @ga$da are much higher a$d are o$ the rise. &ertai$ social a$d

cultural issues respo$si)le for these attacs have )ee$ Crefusals of a relatio$ship

or marriage proposal, failures of a girl to )ri$g a do#ry to her hus)a$d, marital

disputes, family disputes, political rivalries, la$d disputes a$d the accide$tal

prese$ce of the victims at the sce$e.H

(ost of the reaso$s are specifically

related to ge$der a$d are commo$ reaso$s i$ cou$tries lie 4a$gladesh, '$dia,

7aista$, &am)odia, a$d @ga$daD #here other crimes agai$st #ome$ lie do#ry

related crimes, domestic viole$ce a$d ho$or crimes e"ist. '$fact i$ '$dia, it has

)ee$ said that Cacid attacs o$ #ome$ are a systemic form of ge$dered se"ual

viole$ce. @$lie acid attacs o$ me$, these attacs are used as a #eapo$ to

sile$ce a$d co$trol #ome$ )y destroyi$g #hat is co$structed as the primary

co$stitue$t of her ide$tity, i.e., her )ody. 't is importa$t the$ for a$y campaig$

agai$st acid attacs to mo)ilie pu)lic opi$io$ to#ards recog$ii$g acid attacs as

a form of ge$dered se"ual viole$ce a$d more importa$tly to recog$ie the

patriarchal $otio$s u$derlyi$g these attacsH.

3urthermore, depicti$g cou$try specific tre$ds is useful #hile dra#i$g up a$

appropriate legislatio$ to address the pro)lem. 3or i$sta$ce, as ma$y of cases of

acid viole$ce i$ &am)odia occur i$ the household, the crime has )ee$ proposed to

)e addressed i$ their ?omestic iole$ce *ct. * similar approach #as tae$ i$

4a$gladesh i$ 199 #he$ the gover$me$t i$itially thought acid attacs to )e a

ge$der specific crime a$d passed the &ruelty to Bome$ a$d &hildre$ *ct. '$

2000 the 7reve$tio$ of Gppressio$ agai$st Bome$ a$d &hildre$ *ct agai$ dealt

'$ter$et :ditio$ /oliday, The acid violence against women, %had$a Fha$, (ay 25, 200

Burnt not (estroyed@2eport *y &%***B.

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#ith acid attacs o$ #ome$ a$d childre$. /o#ever the rise i$ tre$ds of acid

viole$ce agai$st me$ that e$sued i$ the late 1900s made it $ecessary for the

4a$gladeshi gover$me$t to pass a la# that dealt #ith the crime agai$st )oth

#ome$ a$d me$ i$ specific terms. /e$ce, i$ 2002 t#o $e# la#s, the *cid

Gffe$ces 7reve$tio$ *ct 2002 a$d *cid &o$trol *ct #ere e$acted i$ 2002 to

address the gro#i$g pro)lem.

6an!ladesh?

There has )ee$ a steady i$crease i$ acid attacs i$ 4a$gladesh from

appro"imately 12 per year to 0 per year i$ the mid1990s. *$ eve$ more

sig$ifica$t ump #as o)served i$ the late 1990s #he$ NEGs i$ 4a$gladesh

reported up to 20 cases per a$$um. The sudde$ i$crease i$ cases has )ee$ partly

attri)uted to )etter reporti$g a$d mai$g the cases more visi)le )y NEGs lie

Naripoho, a #ome$+s advocacy orga$iatio$, i$ 199 a$d the *cid %urvivors

3ou$datio$ i$ ?haa i$ 1999. These NEGs made sure that as ma$y cases as

possi)le #ere reported a$d recorded a$d that the victims received help a$d

compe$satio$.6 /o#ever, o$ly part of this i$crease ca$ )e e"plai$ed )y this

progress that #as made i$ the docume$tatio$ of cases5.'$ 2001, 0 cases #ere

reported, i$ 2002, 6 cases #ere reported a$d i$ 200, cases #ere reported 8.

:arlier attacs #ere almost al#ays committed agai$st you$g #ome$ a$d girls )y

me$ #ho #ere a$gered )y their victims reecti$g their se"ual adva$ces or

marriage proposals. /o#ever, as the crime )ecame more commo$ the motives for

attacs gre# more varied a$d prese$tly more tha$ 0K of victims are me$, a$d

la$d disputes are o$e of the )iggest reaso$s for attacs. 9

4et#ee$ 1999 a$d 2002, acid attacs i$ 4a$gladesh i$creased at a rate of 0K per year, culmi$ati$g i$ 8 attacs i$ 2002. '$ 200 there #as a 1K decrease i$

cases to 10 per year.0

6 Acid Attac$s% Bangladesh&s #fforts to Stop the Violence! Jorda$ %#a$so$, /arvard /ealth 7olicy Revie#

*rchives, %pri$g 2002D ol , No 15

Baseline Survey with International Comparative Analysis of the Legal Aspects of Acid Violence in

ganda! &ommissio$ed )y> *cid %urvivors 3ou$datio$ @ga$da, !egal &o$sulta$t> Rachel 3orster , Novem)er, 200

8 Acid Violence Against :omen! Duoting *%3 statistics.

9 Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh.

0 *cid %urvivors 3ou$datio$ 4a$gladesh

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The e"perie$ce i$ 4a$gladesh #as that acid viole$ce cases too up to 10 years to

)e prosecuted i$ court a$d as ma$y as 1 i$ 10 cases did $ot go to trial. 1. 4y 1999

o$ly 10 me$ had )ee$ impriso$ed as a result of a$ acid crime. 4et#ee$ 1999 a$d

2001 of the 50 acid attac cases reported a$d o$ly 2 #ere co$victed. 2

The *cid Gffe$ces 7reve$tio$ *ct 2002

reads as follo#s

Setion ;? %unishment for /illin! of a person b" aid? Bhoever ills a$yo$e )y

acid shall )e pu$ished #ith, death or rigorous impriso$me$t for life a$d also #ith

fi$e $o e"ceedi$g G$e !ac Taa

Setion


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pe$al code to try to provide some clarity, )ut there #ere still gaps i$ the la# #he$

co$sideri$g the very specific $ature of acid crimes. '$ 199 the gover$me$t

e$acted the &ruelty to Bome$ a$d &hildre$ *ct a$d this *ct addressed acid

attacs specifically. *t that poi$t i$ time, acid viole$ce #as thought to )e a ge$der

specific issue a$d all acid crimes agai$st #ome$ a$d childre$ #ere prosecuted

through this *ct. /o#ever a$y attac committed agai$st a ma$ had to )e

prosecuted through the old pe$al code. 3rom 199 o$#ards there #as a$

i$creased tre$d i$ the use of acid agai$st me$ a$d so a $e# la# #as $eeded to

prosecute cases i$flicted o$ me$. Bhe$ the la# #as revised a$d i$ 2002, the

ma"imum pu$ishme$t #as i$creased from 5 years u$der the pe$al code to death.

1. The la# addresses the pro)lem of delay i$ prosecuti$g cases )y providi$g a

fi"ed time for i$vestigatio$s>

o

The i$vestigati$g police officer must complete the i$vestigatio$ #ithi$ 0days follo#i$g the reported attac or the (agistrate+s order for a$

i$vestigatio$.

o T#o e"te$sio$s of 1 days each ca$ )e gra$ted o$ applicatio$ to the court

o 'f after 60 days, the officer is u$a)le to complete the i$vestigatio$, a $e#

officer must )e assig$ed a$d actio$ #ill )e tae$ agai$st the first officer

o The $e# officer has 1 days to complete the i$vestigatio$.

2. Trial 7rocedures>

o The total time allo#ed for i$vestigatio$s is 90 days. The trial the$ has to

)e completed a$d a co$victio$ secured #ithi$ 90 days of the e$d of the

i$vestigatio$ period.

. The court is very proactive i$ e$suri$g that the police i$vestigate acid cases.

%ectio$ 1 i$ the *ct states that legal actio$ #ill )e tae$ agai$st a$y officers

#ho are $eglige$t or corrupt i$ i$vestigati$g the crime.

. (edical :"ami$atio$ of the ictim> This %ectio$ is to e$sure that the acid

attac victim gets proper medical e"ami$atio$ immediately a$d receive a

certificate regardi$g the e"ami$atio$. The %ectio$ also lays do#$ that actio$

#ill )e tae$ agai$st a $eglige$t doctor.

. *ll offe$ces u$der the *ct are cog$ia)le, $o$compou$da)le a$d $o$

)aila)le.

6. *lthough the crime is regarded as $o$)aila)le i$ %ectio$ 1 of the *ct,

%ectio$ 1 of the act is a specific provisio$ that gives the &ourt some

discretio$ as to #he$ it ca$ gra$t )ail. This %ectio$ states that a )ail petitio$

supra 21

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ca$$ot )e filed if the &ourt is co$vi$ced that the complai$a$t is $ot give$ the

cha$ce for heari$g o$ the )ail petitio$, or there are reaso$a)le grou$d for

co$victio$ or /e-she is $ot #oma$ or child, or $ot physically impaired a$d the

tri)u$al is $ot satisfied that e$ds of ustice #ill $ot )e hampered if he is e$larged

o$ )ail.'f the &ourt is satisfied that the perso$ is $ot i$volved i$ the offe$ce, it

ca$ gra$t )ail.

5. *cidoffe$ces 7reve$tio$ Tri)u$als have )ee$ set up solely to try acid cases,

headed )y district or sessio$ udges. These topicspecific Tri)u$als are to

e$sure that mem)ers o$ the Tri)u$als are properly se$sitied to acid attac

cases.

The *cid &o$trol *ct, deals #ith restricti$g a$d co$trolli$g the sale a$d supply of

acid i$ 4a$gladesh This *ct attempts to co$trol the sale a$d supply of acid i$

4a$gladesh. 1mem)er Natio$al *cid &o$trol &ou$cils have )ee$ esta)lished

across the cou$try. :ach cou$cil is headed )y a ?istrict &ommissio$er. (em)ers

of the &ou$cils are selected from the gover$me$t a$d also la#yers, commerce

people, medical professio$als, specialists i$ #ome$+s issues a$d mem)ers of the

media. The cou$cils mae proposals to tae actio$ to e$force a$d mo$itor the

la#s regardi$g acid sale i$ their respective area as #ell as to assist i$ the proper

reporti$g, treatme$t a$d reha)ilitatio$ of victims.

The cou$cils raise pu)lic a#are$ess a)out the co$seue$ces of acid crime. '$ spite

of the e$actme$t of the $e# la# the e"perie$ce i$ 4a$gladesh has )ee$ that it is

still very hard to restrict the sale of acid. 't is first difficult to fi$d the source of the

acid used duri$g the attac a$d thus to prosecute the supplier. 't is also easy

disguisi$g the reaso$ for reuiri$g acid )y proposi$g legitimate e"cuses.

3urthermore, coveri$g up the real supply of acid i$ their records is a$ effortless

tas for suppliers a$d as )ri)ery is commo$ i$ 4a$gladesh, acid is easy to o)tai$.

Cambodia

'$ a 200 report o$ acid attacs i$ &am)odia

, collected from $e#spapers it #as

reported that )et#ee$ ?ecem)er 1999 a$d Novem)er 2002, 6 people #ere

su)ect to acid attac. Gut of these, 0 victims #ere female a$d 1 male.

200 report )y licadho, living in the shadows% acid attac$s in cam*odia.pu)lished )y proect

agai$st torture cam)odia$ league for the promotio$ of huma$ rights ;licadho


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/o#ever, 29K of the victims #ere $ot targets of the attac a$d 12 males a$d

females, plus t#o others #hose se" had $ot )ee$ reported #ere i$ured )y

accide$ts a$d i$cluded frie$ds a$d family mem)ers of the victims or their drivers

a$d other $ear)y passers. Thus, most the i$te$ded victims #ere #ome$.

Thereafter it has )ee$ reported6

that atleast 60 $o#$ cases of acid attac

viole$ce occurred i$ 200. /o#ever, others5

suspect that the a$$ual i$cide$ce

rate could )e as high as 100.* $e#spaper report8

states that from Gcto)er 1999

to ?ecem)er 2006 there have )ee$ 111 cases of acid attacs #ith a total of 181

victims. (ost of these attacs #ere perpetrated o$ #ome$9

a$d i$volved

hus)a$ds thro#i$g acid o$ their #ives or former #ives, #ives thro#i$g acid o$

the seco$d #ives or mistresses a$d i$ some cases #ome$ thro#i$g acids at their

hus)a$d )ecause of hus)a$d+s viole$ce ;)eati$g a$d a)usi$g< to#ards them.

The !a# >

*cid iole$ce is $ot specifically addressed i$ &am)odia$ crimi$al la#.

7erpetrators ca$ )e charged #ith )attery #ith i$ury, #hich carries a se$te$ce of

up to 10 years impriso$me$t.

Artile ;(? assault and batter",+

1. *$yo$e #ho volu$tarily stries a$other resulti$g i$ i$ury leadi$g to perma$e$t

disa)ility or temporary disa)ility lasti$g more tha$ si" mo$ths, is guilty of )attery

a$d shall )e lia)le to a pu$ishme$t of o$e to five years i$ priso$.

2. 'f the disa)ility lasts less tha$ si" mo$ths, the offe$ce shall )e pu$ished )y a

term of impriso$me$t of si" mo$ths to t#o years.

6?ata provided )y &am)odia$ *cid %urvivors &harity ;&*%&<

5 suspect*cid %urvivors Trust '$ter$atio$al ;*%T'<

8 The Cam*odia (aily, ?ec 06

9 200 report )y !'&*?/G, Living in the Shadows% Acid Attac$s in Cam*odia

60 7rovisio$s dated %eptem)er 10, 1992 relati$g to the udiciary a$d crimi$al la# a$d procedure

applica)le i$ &am)odia duri$g the tra$sitio$al period, ###.licadho.org

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. 'f there is $o disa)ility, the pu$ishme$t shall )e a term of impriso$me$t of t#o

mo$ths to o$e year.

. 'f a$y #eapo$ is used to strie the )lo#s, the period of impriso$me$t shall )e

dou)led.

'f the victims dies or receives lifethreate$i$g i$uries, more serious charges such

as murder, attempted murder or ma$slaughter should )e laid. They carry se$te$ces

of 10 years to life impriso$me$t.

Artile 7(? murder

1. *$yo$e #ho ills or attempts to ill a$other perso$ after premeditati$g thecrime, or )y prepari$g a$ am)ush, or #ho ills or attempts to ill a$other perso$

i$ the course of theft or rape, is guilty of the murder, a$d shall )e lia)le to a

pu$ishme$t of impriso$me$t for a term of te$ to t#e$ty years.

2. 7remeditatio$ is the process of co$ceivi$g a$d prepari$g a$ attac o$ a$other

perso$ )efore the actual e"ecutio$ of the attac. *$ am)ush co$sists of lyi$g i$

#ait #ith the i$te$tio$ of committi$g a$ act of viole$ce agai$st a$other perso$.

Artile 7)? 8oluntar" manslau!hter

*$yo$e #ho volu$tarily ills or attempts to ill a$other perso$ #ithout a$y of the

aggravati$g circumsta$ces me$tio$ed i$ *rticle 1, #hether or $ot a #eapo$ is

used, is guilty of the crime of volu$tary ma$slaughter, a$d shall )e lia)le to

impriso$me$t for a term of eight to fiftee$ years.

/o#ever , co$victio$s have )ee$ reported i$ o$ly 6 cases a$d #ome$ have

$ormally received more severe pu$ishme$ts tha$ me$61

* draft provisio$ i$ &am)odia+s domestic viole$ce la# is )ei$g approved )y the

Natio$al *ssem)ly a$d %e$ate. 't proposes a pu$ishme$t for acid thro#ers of

)et#ee$ L 10 years impriso$me$t. *ctivists are still campaig$i$g for the

61 200 !'&*?/G report

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#ordi$g to )e cha$ged to apply to a$y perso$ #ho thro#s acid, rather tha$ ust the

curre$t applicatio$ o$ly to family mem)ers #ho thro# acid o$ other family

mem)ers. This #ould e"clude people # ho thro# acid at victims #ho are $ot

related to them. *lso, activists argue that the ma"imum pe$alty for acid thro#i$g

should )e i$creased, especially if perma$e$t disfigureme$t or disa)ility, lie

)li$d$ess, has )ee$ caused. This #ould )e the first time that &am)odia$ la#

specifically refers to acid attacs.

/o#ever till date the ?omestic iole$ce !a#, #hich #as approved i$ 200 does

$ot deal #ith acid attacs i$ specific terms.

4!anda

'$ @ga$da accordi$g to *cid %urvivor+s 3ou$datio$;*%3@< *cid viole$ce i$

affects )oth me$;8K< a$d #ome$;2K< i$ almost eual $um)ers62

. The motives

)ehi$d the attacs are domestic argume$ts, la$d disputes, )usi$ess rivalry etc.

There are also cases of victims that have )ee$ i$ured )y mistae for )ei$g there

at the time of the acid thro#i$g as there #ere i$ &am)odia. These are ofte$

childre$ #ho #ere )ei$g carried )y the mother victims at the time of the attac.

*%3@ is also a#are of ma$y cases #here victims have $o idea #hy they #ere the

target of a$ attac. *cid viole$ce crosses the social strata of society i$ @ga$da L

from the very poorest to some very i$flue$tial a$d #ealthy people. *%3@ has

fou$d that attacs are $ot o$ly carried out )y the perso$ #ith the grieva$ce )ut i$

1 K of cases, the acid is thro#$ )y a$ assassi$D #ho ca$ )e hired at a very lo#

cost.

*%3@ suspects u$derreporti$g of acid viole$ce cases due to pu)lic stigma

attached to victims, poor access to ustice, police i$efficie$cy a$d the victim+s

lac of fi$a$ces to fight the case through the police system a$d the$ the courts.

The releva$t sectio$ to arrest, prosecute, co$vict a$d se$te$ce perpetrators of acid

viole$ce u$der the @ga$da$ 7e$al &ode is %ectio$ 216;g< ;formerly %209< a$d itcarries life impriso$me$t a$d reads as u$der>

C*$y perso$ #ho, #ith i$te$t to maim, disfigure or disa)le a$y perso$, or to

do some grievous harm to any person or to resist or prevent the lawful arrest

or detention of any person E

=f puts any corrosive fluid or any destructive or e"plosive su*stance in

any place or

62 ! Baseline Survey with International Comparative Analysis of the Legal Aspects of Acid

Violence in ganda!366>.

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=g unlawfully casts or throws any such fluid or su*stance at or upon any

person! or otherwise applies any such fluid or su*stance to the person of

any person! commits a felony and is lia*le to imprisonment for life.G

/o#ever, it has )ee$ reported that the a)ove sectio$ is $ot applied co$siste$tly )y

the police or the courts. (a$y attacers have )ee$ charged u$der other sectio$s of

the 7e$al &ode, for e"ample, u$der %ectio$ 219 for Cgrievous harmH #hich carries

a se$te$ce of upto seve$ years o$ly. *$other pro)lem that arises is that police

officers have too much discretio$ i$ terms of the degree of charges that they are

a)le to )ri$g o$. (oreover, the police are $ot co$siste$t i$ )ri$gi$g charges, as

charges that are filed ofte$ seem to )e depe$de$t o$ the i$dividual decisio$ of the

police officer rather tha$ o$e of policy.

* charge is also ofte$ levied accordi$g to the level of i$ury rather tha$ )yi$vestigati$g the i$te$t a$d motive )ehi$d the attac. Therefore if the victim

ma$ages to avoid maor i$uries, the perpetrator is released or o$ly charged #ith a

mi$or assault, despite the fact that the perpetrator had i$te$ded to disfigure or ill

the victim. *%3@ has recorded cases #here there had $ot )ee$ physical i$ury a$d

therefore $o prosecutio$ of the perpetrator or o$ly a light se$te$ce, resulti$g i$ the

victim livi$g i$ fear of a later attac. '$ @ga$da o$ly a fe# acid attacs have )ee$

charged u$der attempted murder #hich seems u$fair give$ the premeditated

$ature of acid attacs.6

.*part from this i$ @ga$da the police are ofte$ corrupt,

the prosecutors i$efficie$t a$d sometimes cases are dropped )ecause the victims

are either sile$ced )y threats or paid off.

*s eluded to a)ove, there is $o co$siste$cy i$ se$te$ci$g, a fact co$firmed

ge$erally i$ the se$te$ci$g system of @ga$da. %e$te$ces vary from a fe# mo$ths

;most of #hich is spe$t o$ rema$d< to life impriso$me$t. 7olice a$d udiciary

discretio$ apply a$d si$ce ma$y do $ot u$dersta$d the severity of acid cases, ofte$

light charges a$d le$ie$t se$te$ces result. Ee$erally se$te$ces are too le$ie$t

give$ the perma$e$t damage caused to the victim i$ terms of health, o), family

a$d social status. 7rior to *%3@ i$terve$tio$, i$ 62K of $o#$ acid cases i$

@ga$da, perpetrators received custodial se$te$ces of less tha$ 10 years. %i$ce the

i$terve$tio$ of *%3@, the figure has dropped to 6K.

6 *%3@ Report 200

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There is curre$tly $o form of compe$satio$ availa)le to victims of acid attacs,

despite the sig$ifica$t costs i$curred )y victims a$d their families as a result of

the attacs. No gover$me$t fu$d e"ists to provide a$y form of compe$satio$,

fi$es are $ot imposed o$ perpetrators a$d *%3@ has $o records of a$y civil

actio$s )ei$g )rought agai$st perpetrators.

&o$ce$trated sulphuric acid, commo$ly used i$ @ga$da for rechargi$g )atteries

is readily availa)le at petrol statio$s, street sides a$d from outlets i$ the i$dustrial

areas of cities for purchase )y a$y i$dividual #ithout a$y uestio$s )ei$g ased.

&urre$tly there is $o adeuate legislatio$ to co$trol a$d regulate the sale a$d

supply of acid a$d there are $o la#s to co$trol )usi$esses that use acid i$ their

ma$ufacturi$g process, $or for those #ho tra$sport, import a$d e"port such

chemicals. There are $o lice$si$g la#s co$trolli$g the sale a$d supply of acid )y

ve$dors a$d $o records are ept of those #ho )uy acid a$d the reaso$s for their purchase.

/o#ever, though it is hardly used %ectio$ 20 of the @ga$da$ 7e$al &ode

pu$ishes a perso$ #ith impriso$me$t for 6 mo$ths a$d a fi$e of t#o thousa$d

shilli$gs C #ho does #ith a$y poiso$ous su)sta$ce a$y act i$ a ma$$er so rash or

$eglige$t as to e$da$ger huma$ life or to )e liely to cause hurt or i$ury to a$y

other perso$ or $o#i$gly or $eglige$tly omits to tae such care #ith a$y

poiso$ous su)sta$ce i$ his or her possessio$ as is sufficie$t to guard agai$st

pro)a)le da$ger to huma$ life from such poiso$ous su)sta$ce.H

Ni!eria$

*cid viole$ce first reported i$ the city of 7ort /arcourt i$ the early 1990+s.6

The

reported cases of acid attacs o$ #ome$ )et#ee$ 2001 a$d 200 #as 21 a$d

a$other 1 cases )et#ee$ 1990 a$d 2000.6

*lthough acid viole$ce is a ge$der

)ased crime i$ Nigeria, there have also )ee$ reported cases of attacs agai$st me$

more rece$tly. 4et#ee$ 200 a$d 200 reported 5 attacs that #ere committed

agai$st me$ )y #ome$.66

6 7roect *lert o$ iole$ce *gai$st Bome$, 200

6 ')id.

66 ')id.

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There is $o la# curre$tly i$ Nigeria that specifically deals #ith acid

attacs.Gffe$ders are prosecuted u$der the pe$al code for )attery or for causi$g

grievous harm65

. The releva$t sectio$s of the 7e$al &ode i$ Nigeria reads as

u$der

Chapter )

Gffe$ces :$da$geri$g !ife or /ealth

77)$ *$y perso$ #ho, #ith i$te$t to maim, disfigure or disa)le, a$y perso$, or to do some

grievous harm to a$y perso$, or to resist or preve$t the la#ful arrest or dete$tio$ of a$y

perso$

;1< u$la#fully #ou$ds or does a$y grievous harm to a$y perso$ )y a$y mea$s

#hateverD or

;2< u$la#fully attempts i$ a$y ma$$er to strie a$y perso$ #ith a$y i$d of proectile

or #ith a spear, s#ord, $ife, or other da$gerous or offe$sive #eapo$D or

;< u$la#fully causes a$y e"plosive su)sta$ce to e"plodeD or

;< se$ds or delivers a$y e"plosive su)sta$ce or other da$gerous or $o"ious thi$g to

a$y perso$D or

;< causes a$y such su)sta$ce or thi$g to )e tae$ or received )y a$y perso$D or

;6< puts a$y corrosive fluid or a$y destructive or e"plosive su)sta$ce i$ a$y placeD or

;5< u$la#fully casts or thro#s a$y such fluid or su)sta$ce at or upo$ a$y perso$, or

other#ise applies a$y such fluid or su)sta$ce to the perso$ of a$y perso$D

is guilty of a felo$y, a$d is lia)le to impriso$me$t for life.

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'$ Jamaica the offe$ces agai$st 7erso$s *ct ;G*7*< provides for a life

impriso$me$t for causi$g grievous )odily harm. There is $o specific la# deali$g

#ith acid attac eve$ though Jamaica is said to have the largest $um)er of a)solute

acid attac victims.The releva$t sectio$s of the G*7* read as follo#s

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Gffe$ces *gai$st the 7erso$s *ct

7e$alty for (urder> ?eath or life impriso$me$t, $ot )ei$g less tha$ 1 years.

Attempts to Murder:

(7$ Bhosoever shall admi$ister to, or cause to )e admi$istered to, or to )e tae$

)y a$y perso$, a$y poiso$ or other destructive thi$g, or shall, )y a$y mea$s

#hatsoever, #ou$d, or cause a$y grievous )odily harm to a$y perso$, #ith i$te$t,

i$ a$y of the cases aforesaid, to commit murder, shall )e guilty of felo$y, a$d,

)ei$g co$victed thereof, shall )e lia)le to )e impriso$ed for life, #ith or #ithout

hard la)our.

Acts Causing or Tending to Cause Danger to Life, or Bodily /arm%

)+$ Bhosoever shall u$la#fully a$d maliciously, )y a$y mea$s #hatsoever,#ou$d, or cause a$y grievous )odily harm to a$y perso$, or shoot at a$y perso$,

or, )y dra#i$g a trigger, or i$ a$y other ma$$er attempt to discharge a$y i$d of

loaded arms at a$y perso$, #ith i$te$t i$ a$y of the cases aforesaid, to maim,

disfigure or disa)le a$y perso$, or to do some other grievous )odily harm to a$y

perso$, or #ith i$te$t to resist or preve$t the la#ful apprehe$sio$ or detai$er of

a$y perso$, shall

)e guilty of felo$y, a$d, )ei$g co$victed thereof, shall )e lia)le, to )e impriso$ed

for life #ith or #ithout hard la)our.

))$ Bhosoever shall u$la#fully a$d maliciously #ou$d or i$flict a$y grievous

)odily harm upon a$y other perso$, either #ith or #ithout a$y #eapo$ or

i$strume$t, shall )e guilty of a misdemea$our, a$d, )ei$g co$victed thereof, shall

)e lia)le to )e impriso$ed for a term $ot e"ceedi$g three years, #ith or #ithout

hard la)our.

)*$ Bhosoever shall u$la#fully a$d maliciously )y the e"plosio$ of gu$po#der

or other e"plosive su)sta$ce, )ur$, maim, disfigure, disa)le, or do a$y grievous

)odily harm to a$y perso$, shall )e guilty of felo$y a$d, )ei$g

co$victed thereof, shall )e lia)le to )e impriso$ed for life, #ith or #ithout hard

la)our.

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4nited 5in!dom 68.

*lthough acid viole$ce is $ot commo$ i$ the @F, the courts have pu$ished the

perpetrators harshly, #he$ there have )ee$ such attacs. *ttacs are charged

u$der %ectio$ 29 of the Gffe$ces *gai$st the 7erso$ *ct 1861 ;G*7*


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4elo# are some cases tae$ from udgme$ts of the @F courts are as u$der>

• Radford &(*,' CR App R &S' ,+? 5 years imprisonment #as upheld

#he$ a corrosive su)sta$ce #as suirted i$to the victim+s face causi$g

su)sta$tial loss of visio$ i$ o$e eye. The appella$t had pleaded guilty at

the trial a$d claimed that he had $ot i$te$ded to )li$d the victim o$ly to

disa)le. /o#ever the *ppeal udge held that )ecause the attac #as

premeditated a$d deli)erate, the co$victio$ a$d se$te$ce #ould )e

upheld.

• Ismail &(**)' (7 CR App R &S' 7* 1 years imprisonment #as

upheld for thro#i$g $itric acid i$to the face of a$ estra$ged part$er,

causi$g gross disfigureme$t a$d )li$d$ess.

• '$ the case Boump!rey &(**;' (< Cr$App$R$&S$' 977, a se$te$ce of 1"

years imprisonment #as upheld for the total )li$di$g of a$ i$$oce$t

you$g ma$. There #as a plea of guilty a$d the appella$t #as a 5year

old ma$ #ith a serious heart co$ditio$. *$d although there #ere

i$dicatio$s of previous viole$ce, he had $o previous co$victio$s for

viole$ce. These facts reduced the le$gth of the se$te$ce slightly.

• Carrington &(***' )CR App R &S' )+,> # years imprisonment #as

upheld #he$ sulphuric acid #as thro#$ i$to the face of the offe$der+s

former girlfrie$d. No lo$g term damage #as sustai$ed due to promptfirst aid )ut )ecause the attac #as premeditated a$d $o remorse #as

sho#$, the se$te$ce #as upheld. The udge stated that the fact that the

victim did $ot sustai$ a$y serious perma$e$t i$ury #as $ot somethi$g

that could go to the credit of the appella$t. 't #as due solely to assista$ce

give$ )y others.

• '$ the case of $e%ton (*** ( Cr$App$R$&S$' ;7 a pla$$ed acid attac

occurred o$ a$ estra$ged #ife )y her hus)a$d at her place of #or,

leavi$g her #ith 10 per ce$t )ur$s to her )ody a$d #ith the aggravati$g

feature that he ro))ed her till at the same time. * 15& year sentence %as

reduced 'y t!e Court of Appeal to 1( years. /o#ever, it is importa$t to

$ote that i$ that case there #as $o perma$e$t scarri$g a$d $o eleme$t of

co$spiracy, #hich serve to i$crease the le$gth of a se$te$ce.

• '$ the case of )ones (*** ( Cr$App$R$&S$' ;97 a ma$ #as held i$ a car

for mi$utes a$d acid poured over him follo#i$g a dispute )et#ee$

him a$d the attacer over mo$ey, #hich #as said to )e o#ed as the

proceeds of a fraudule$t e$terprise o$ their mutual )ehalves. :"te$sive

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)ur$s to the face a$d the possi)le loss of o$e eye #as i$curred. *i+teen

years %as up!eld as a proper sentence o$ the tariff )asis for that

offe$ce, although a fouryear se$te$ce the$ )ei$g served #as ordered to

ru$ co$curre$tly o$ the )asis of the totality pri$ciple.

• '$ ris!an Ra-a Rai . /arl Ro'inson &)+++' ) CR App R &S' ()+? 15

years imprisonment #as upheld for )oth offe$ders L o$e #ho had the

i$te$t a$d the other #ho actually thre# the acid. Rai had issued threats

to his former girlfrie$d that Cyou thi$ you+re so pretty, you #o$+t )e for

lo$gH a$d to the girlfrie$d+s father he had said C'f ' do$+t get her '+ll

spoil her face or ' #ill ill her.H Ro)i$so$, #ho #as u$$o#$ to the

girlfrie$d ra$ up o$e eve$i$g o$ the street a$d poured co$ce$trated $itric

acid over her head from a lucoade )ottle. *s a result of the attac the

girlfrie$d lost her right ear, sig$ifica$t scarri$g to her face, $ec, scalp

a$d chest. %he reuired several surgical procedures. %he also $eededregular cou$selli$g from a cli$ical psychologist.

The udge i$ the first i$sta$ce held that the pe$alty for a$ offe$ce of this

$ature must )e lo$ger tha$ a $ormal se$te$ce. *lso he felt that the pu)lic

$eeded to )e protected from such offe$ders.

• The :$glish courts have )ee$ eually severe agai$st those )ehi$d a$

attac #ho have hired someo$e else to commit the crime. '$ the

u$reported case of Humphries &(**,'E (r 7eter /umphries, hired a

stra$ger to thro# acid o$ his former #ife. (iss /ammett #as

)a)ysitti$g for the former #ife a$d #as i$ured i$ a case of mistae$

ide$tity as the attacer did $ot $o# that she #as $ot the i$te$ded

victim. *lthough the attacer #as $ever caught, /umphries received a

1( year sentence.

The ta)le )elo# sho#s the i$d of se$te$ces that have )ee$ a#arded i$ cases of

acid attac i$ differe$t cou$tries #here such data #as availa)le till ..

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%ource Ta*les ta$en from the Baseline Survey with International Comparative

Analysis of the Legal Aspects of Acid Violence in ganda

CHA%.3R 1

Compensation for the 1itim

'$ the ?elhi ?omestic Bori$g Bome$+s 3orum case69

the %upreme &ourt of

'$dia had pro$ou$ced upo$ the $eed )y the gover$me$t to setup a &rimi$al

'$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oard for rape victims #ithi$ 6 mo$ths. The %upreme

&ourt had suggested that this )oard should give compe$satio$ #hether or $ot a

co$victio$ taes place. The %upreme &ourt e"plai$ed the ustificatio$ for this

proposal as u$der

C't is $ecessary, havi$g regard to the ?irective 7ri$ciples co$tai$ed u$der *rticle

8;'< of the &o$stitutio$ of '$dia to setup &rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oard.

Rape victims freue$tly i$cur su)sta$cial fi$a$cial loss. %ome, for e"ample are

too traumatised to co$ti$ue i$ employme$t.

&ompe$satio$ for victims should )e a#arded )y the court o$ co$victio$ of the

offe$der a$d )y the &rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oard #hether or $ot a

co$victio$ taes place. The )oard #ill tae i$to accou$t pai$, sufferi$g a$d

69 ?elhi ?omestic Bori$g Bome$+s 3orum s. @$io$ of '$dia ;199< ' %&& 1

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shocs as #ell as loss of ear$i$gs due to preg$a$cy a$d the e"pe$ses of the child

)ut if this occurred as a result of the rape.

'$ the prese$t situatio$, the third respo$de$t #ill have to evolve such scheme as to

#ipe out the fears of such u$fortu$ate victims..H

'$ 4odhisatt#a Eautam+s case50

, The %upreme &ourt agai$ reiterated the a)ove

decisio$ a$d further laid do#$ that courts had arrived to a#ard i$terim

compe$satio$ #hich should also )e provided for i$ the scheme.

*$ e"ami$atio$ of acid attac cases agai$ u$derli$es the urge$t $eed for a scheme

of compe$satio$ for the victims. *cid attac victims ofte$ have to, as stated

earlier, u$dergo multiple surgeries costi$g !ahs of Rupees. They are also i$

urge$t $eed of reha)ilitatio$ as they ofte$ $eed fi$a$cial help to e"ist. They may

$ot )e a)le to see employme$t.

The Natio$al commissio$ for Bome$ has suggested a separate legislatio$ to deal

#ith the offe$ce of acid attac a$d as part of the proposed legislatio$ has

suggested that the &e$tral gover$me$t should esta)lish a Natio$al *cid *ttac

ictims *ssista$ce 4oard #hich #ill provide assista$ce to the acid attac victims

)y #ay of e$suri$g medical treatme$t a$d other services such as psychological

cou$seli$g. The )oard has also )ee$ give$ the tas to recomme$d to the

Eover$me$t strategies to regulate a$d co$trol i$teralia the productio$ a$d sale of

acids. 't has )ee$ suggested that the )oard admi$isters a fu$d to )e called The Natio$al *cid *ttac ictims *ssista$ce 3u$d to #hich the &e$tral a$d %tate

gover$me$t ca$ give gra$ts apart from others. 't has )ee$ provided that the )oard

ca$ give i$terim fi$a$cial relief upto Rs. 1 !ah #ithi$ a period of 0 days

directly to the hospital. *part from other issues the mai$ pro)lem #ith the

suggestio$s of the N.&.B is that it is restricti$g the fu$ctio$ of the )oard to o$ly

acid attac cases.

The &ommissio$ has also e"ami$ed the &a$adia$ legislatio$ for payme$t of

compe$satio$ u$der the C &ompe$satio$ for ictims of &rime *ctH. This act

applies to compe$satio$ claims arisi$g from a$ i$ury or death resulti$g from

certai$ offe$ces. Thus, the act provides for compe$satio$ i$teralia to victims of

offe$ces lie se"ual assault, aggravated se"ual assault, murder, ma$slaughter,

se"ual e"ploitatio$, assault, id$appi$g etc. The act sets up a &rimi$al '$uries

&ompe$satio$ 4oard, #hich ca$ pay compe$satio$ to the victim or a perso$ #ho

is respo$si)le for mai$te$a$ce of the victim or #here death has occurred, the

50 4odhisatt#a Eautam s. %hu)hra &hara)orty *'R 1996 %&& 922

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depe$da$ts or a$y of them of the victim or the perso$ #ho #as respo$si)le for the

victim+s mai$te$a$ce. The compe$satio$ ca$ )e a#arded u$der the follo#i$g

heads L

a< :"pe$ses actually a$d reaso$a)ly i$curred or to )e i$curred as a result of

the victims i$ury or deathD

)< 7ecu$iary loss or damages i$curred )y the victim as a result of total or

partial disa)ility affecti$g the victims capacity for #orD

c< 7ecu$iary loss or damages i$curred )y the depe$da$ts as a result of the

victim+s deathD

d< 7ai$ a$d sufferi$g D

e< (ai$te$a$ce of a child )or$ as a result of se"ual assaultD

f< Gther pecu$iary loss or damages resulti$g from the victims i$ury a$d a$y

e"pe$se that i$ the opi$io$ of the )oard it is reaso$a)le to i$cur.

'$terim payme$ts to the applica$t precedi$g the a#ard ca$ also )e made. The totalcompe$satio$ ordered to )e paid ca$$ot e"ceed P100,000 i$ lump sum payme$ts

for o$e occurre$ce. The payme$t of the compe$satio$ has to )e paid out of the

co$solidated fu$d.

The @.F &rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ *ct 19951

maes the gover$me$t

respo$si)le for setti$g up a scheme a$d states as u$der

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differe$t i$uries. * claim officer to a#ard the claim a$d adudicators to hear a$

appeal have also )ee$ specified u$der the act

't has )ee$ poi$ted out that 3i$a$cial &ompe$satio$ for the victim ca$ )e very

ge$erous i$ the @F. The @F &rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oard provided a

victim E47 86,20 ;appro"imately @% P10,000

CThe #ome$ #as aged at the date of the assault a$d 0 #he$ she #as i$ured

i$ a$ acid attac. 1 %he had 8K thic$ess )ur$s to her face, right arm, dorsum of

)oth ha$ds a$d the left upper chest plus damage to )oth eyes. %he had to have

several si$ grafts 10 mo$ths, t#o years eight mo$ths a$d t#o years 11 mo$ths

after the assault. %he #as left #ith e"te$sive scarri$g to her #hole face, loss of

hair a)ove the left forehead, severe scarri$g to the right arm a$d left forearm a$d

scarri$g to )oth ha$ds. *ll scarri$g #as perma$e$t. /er left earlo)e #as

destroyed, she suffered a perforated left eardrum, liely to have )ee$ caused )y

chemical )ur$s a$d suffered perma$e$t heari$g loss, ti$$itus a$d a persiste$t a$d

foul smelli$g varia)le discharge from the left ear. %he also e"perie$ced pai$ i$ the

throat, o$ the left side of the face a$d ear, particularly #he$ i$ the cold, sore$ess

i$ her eyes #ith e"te$sive #ateri$g o$ a perma$e$t )asis. There #as some visual

impairme$t. %he also suffered from headaches, dii$ess a$d a loss of )ala$ce.

7rior to the attac she had #ored full time i$ a supermaret that she ra$ #ith her

hus)a$d a$d #as outgoi$g a$d socia)le. 3ollo#i$g the attac she developedagorapho)ic te$de$cies a$d suffered from sleep distur)a$ce, a$"iety, freue$t

flash)acs, e"cessive se$sitivity to heat a$d )ecame socially #ithdra#$ a$d more

dista$t i$ her relatio$ships. There #as a diag$osis of severe post traumatic stress

disorder a$d a moderately severe depressive reactio$. The prog$osis for the

psychiatric i$uries #as poor although there had )ee$ some small improveme$t )y

the heari$g. ?ue to the severity of her i$uries, % #as u$a)le to #or agai$.H

*fter looi$g at the various legislatio$s #e feel that a separate act should )e

proposed for deali$g #ith compe$satio$ to victims of acid attacs, rape, se"ual

assault, id$appi$g etc. Be are suggesti$g a )roader legislatio$ so that it ca$ deal

#ith the pro)lems of victims of differe$t crimes #ho $eed reha)ilitatio$ a$d

compe$satio$ for survival.

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CHA%.3R 1I

Conlusion and Reommendations

The precedi$g chapters highlight that acid attacs are a$ i$creasi$g phe$ome$o$i$ '$dia. /o#ever, si$ce $o special sectio$ i$ the '$dia$ 7e$al &ode deals #ith

acid attacs, the i$cide$ts are $ot eve$ recorded separately. %ectio$ 26 of the

'.7.&, #hich deals #ith causi$g grievous hurt )y thro#i$g of a corrosive

su)sta$ce etc. is i$sufficie$t- i$adeuate to deal #ith the issue. Firstly, the

defi$itio$ of grievous hurt is $ot )road e$ough to cover the various i$ds of

i$uries #hich are i$flicted duri$g acid attacs. Secondly, the sectio$ does $ot

cover the act of admi$isteri$g acid. Thirdly! the sectio$ gives a #ide discretio$ to

the courts as far as pu$ishme$t is co$cer$ed. The cases o$ acid attacs i$ '$dia

sho# that $ormally i$adeuate pu$ishme$t is a#arded i$ these cases. Fourthly,

the sectio$ i$ the '.7.& does $ot pu$ish the i$te$tio$al act of thro#i$g of acid if

$o i$uries occur. Lastly! the sectio$ also does $ot specify #ho the fi$e should )e

a#arded to.

Be also feel that if a perso$ has thro#$ or admi$istered the acid o$ a$other

perso$ a presumptio$ should )e raised agai$st the perso$, #ho has thro#$ or

admi$istered the acid, that he has do$e so deli)erately.

*part from the a)ove #e feel that the distri)utio$ a$d sale of *cid should )e

)a$$ed e"cept for commercial a$d scie$tific purposes. *cid should )e made a

scheduled )a$$ed chemical #hich should $ot )e availa)le over the cou$ter. The

particulars of purchasers of acid should )e recorded.

Be have also e"ami$ed the various la#s i$ differe$t cou$tries relati$g to

compe$satio$ for crimi$al i$uries. Bhile the @.F *ct provides for the setti$g up

of a scheme, the &a$adia$ statute sets up a &rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oard

to dispe$se compe$satio$ to victims of viole$ce. The suggestio$ of the Natio$al

&ommissio$ for Bome$ for setti$g up a )oard specifically for acid victims has

also )ee$ e"ami$ed )y us. Be ho#ever feel that si$ce $ot o$ly victims of acid

attacs )ut other victims of differe$t crimes also $eed compe$satio$ for

reha)ilitatio$, lie victims of rape, a la# should )e e$acted to set i$ place

&rimi$al '$uries &ompe$satio$ 4oards at the &e$tre, %tate a$d ?istrict levels i$our cou$try.

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1. Be therefore propose that a $e# sectio$ 26* )e added to the '$dia$

7e$al &ode. The proposed %ectio$ 26 * #ill read as follo#s

7), A$ &i' Hurt b" aid atta/> Bhoever )ur$s or maims or disfigures or

disa)les a$y part or parts of the )ody of a perso$ or causes grievous hurt

)y thro#i$g acid o$ or admi$isteri$g acid to that perso$, #ith the i$te$tio$

of causi$g or #ith the $o#ledge that he is liely to cause such i$ury or

hurt, shall )e pu$isha)le #ith impriso$me$t of either descriptio$ #hich

shall $ot )e less tha$ 10 years )ut #hich may e"te$d to life a$d #ith fi$e

#hich may e"te$d to Rs. 10 !ahs.

7rovided that a$y fi$e levied u$der this sectio$ shall )e give$ to the

perso$ o$ #hom acid has )ee$ thro#$ or admi$istered.

&!*%%'3'&*T'GN G3 G33:N&:

(i$imum 'mpriso$me$t of 10 years e"te$da)le upto impriso$me$t for life

a$d fi$ecog$ia)le $o$)aila)leQtria)le )y court of sessio$Q$o$

compou$da)le.

&ii' Intentionall" thro0in! or administerin! aid> Bhoever thro#s acid

o$, or admi$isters acid to, a$y perso$ #ith the i$te$tio$ of causi$g )ur$s

or maimi$g or disfiguri$g or disa)li$g or causi$g grievous hurt to that

perso$ shall )e lia)le to impriso$me$t of either descriptio$ for a term $ot

less tha$ years )ut #hich may e"te$d to 10 years a$d #ith fi$e #hich

may e"te$d to Rs. !ah.

&!*%%'3'&*T'GN G3 G33:N&:

(i$imum 'mpriso$me$t of years e"te$da)le upto 10 years a$d fi$e

cog$ia)le $o$)aila)leQtria)le )y court of sessio$Q$o$

compou$da)le.

2. Be further propose, for the reaso$s stated a)ove, that i$ cases of acid

attac a presumptio$ )e i$corporated i$ the '$dia$ :vide$ce *ct as

%ectio$ 114. The proposed %ectio$ 114 of the '$dia$ :vide$ce *ct

shall read as u$der.

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Setion

law commission report no. 226- the inclusion of acid attacks as specific offences in the indian...

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