Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

6.15 On the issue of acid attacks of this nature and the context in which they occur, this Court would like to underscore some parts of the Law Commission Report No. 226 dated July 2009 (presented by the learned APP in his submissions) which gives a background of the legislative intention behind the insertion of Section 326A in IPC and the severity and complexity of acid attack cases in society.

CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE Minimum Imprisonment of 5 years extendable upto 10 years and fine-- cognizable-- non-bailable-- triable by court of session--non- compoundable.

2. We further propose, for the reasons stated above, that in cases of acid attack a presumption be incorporated in the Indian Evidence Act as Section 114B. The proposed Section 114B of the Indian Evidence Act shall read as under.

4. We further recommend that the distribution and sale of acid be strictly regulated and the sale of Acid across shop counters be banned.

...........

Hydrochloric, Sulphuric and other acids all have a catastrophic effect on human flesh. These corrosive substances cause the skin tissue to melt. The bones of victims become exposed and sometimes the acid dissolves the bones too. Permanent scars as can be seen in Hasina‟s case disfigure a human being‟s body for life. Furthermore, if acid enters the eyes of the victim during an attack, as is common in acid attack cases, it damages these vital organs permanently. Many acid attack survivors have lost the use of one or both eyes."

"While very little data is available on acid attacks in India some studies have reported an increasing trend in cases relating to acid attack. According to a study 174 cases of acid attack were reported in India in 2000. .........
These cases showed the kind of injuries that victims of acid attack suffered. The injuries range from burns to permanent disfigurement to death. In many acid attacks the victim suffers a slow and painful death .........