Acid attacks: the crime, the law, regulation, and compensation:

Subject :Polity

Context:

Recently a 17-year-old girl was attacked with an acid-like substance in Delhi and has once again brought back the focus on the heinous crime of acid attacks and the easy availability of corrosive substances.

What are the law on acid attacks:

Until 2013, acid attacks were not treated as separate crimes.
In 2013, after some amendments, acid attacks were put under a separate section (326A) of the IPC and made punishable with minimum imprisonment of 10 years which is extendable to life along with fine.
Punishment for denial of treatment to victims or police officers refusing to register an FIR or record any piece of evidence.
Denial of treatment by both public and private hospitals can lead to imprisonment of up to one year and dereliction of duty by a police officer is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years

What are the law on the regulation of acid sales:

In 2013, the SC took cognizance of acid attacks and passed an order on the regulation of sales of corrosive substances.
As a result, the MHA issued an advisory to all states on how to regulate acid sales and framed the Model Poisons Possession and Sale Rules, 2013under The Poisons Act, 1919.
According to the MHA’s directions and the model rules:
- Over-the-counter sale of acid is not allowed unless the seller maintains a logbook or register.
- The sale is also to be made only when the buyer produces a photo ID, to prove that he/she is above 18 years of age.
- Sellers are also required to declare all stocks of acid with the concerned SDM and the SDM can confiscate the stock and impose a fine of Rs 50,000 for a breach of directions.
- Educational institutions, research laboratories, hospitals, etc, are required to keep and store acid, to maintain a register of usage of acid.

What compensation do victims of acid attacks get:

Based on Supreme Court directions, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked States to make sure acid attack victims are paid compensation of at least Rs. 3 lakhs i.e Rs 1 lakh within 15 days and Rs 2 lakh within 2 months thereafter by the concerned State Government or Union Territory as the aftercare and rehabilitation cost.
States are supposed to ensure that treatment provided to acid attack victims in any hospital, public or private, is free of cost.
The cost incurred on treatment is not to be included in the Rs 1 lakh compensation given to the victim.