Acid Attack Victims Can Approach State Legal Services Authorities If Compensation Is Delayed Or Defaulted: Supreme Court

While hearing a PIL seeking efficient compensation for victims of acid attack, the Supreme Court today (March 20) granted liberty to the affected survivors to approach the State Legal Services Authorities(SLSA) in case of any default or delay in receiving the compensatory amount. 

The Court also granted additional time to the Union and several states to file their responses. SLSAs were further directed to submit a chart containing details of the compensation applications filed by the victims. 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar was hearing a PIL by an NGO for Acid Survivors, Saahas, seeking stringent implementation of the guidelines in the landmark case of Laxmi v. Union of India and adequate compensatory and rehabilitation measures for the victims so far. 

During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioners informed that in one of the cases, acid was thrown at a two-and-a-half-year-old girl in Maharashtra who was sleeping with her mother. She stressed that several such instances have been recorded in the plea of various other victims. 

"Till date not a penny (of compensation) is received, so many such cases are there....the system is clogged. In order to get the amount also, they have to run around" she added. 

The Counsel for Union requested additional time to file counter affidavit. She also informed that the states of U.P., Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra had still not filed a response. 

While granting additional time of 4 weeks to file counter affidavits to Union and remaining states, the Court also directed that the victims may approach the State Legal Services Authority in case of delays or defaults in the compensations due. It further directed the SLSA to ensure that victims get treatment at private hospitals. 

The relevant part of the order reads: 

" The victims will be at liberty to approach the State Legal Services Authority in case there is any default or delay in payment of the compensation to the acid attack victims, the SLSA shall prepare a chart indicating the names and details of the victims of acid attack and dates when the application for compensation was filed."

"The Legal Services Authorities will also ensure that victims of acid attack are admitted to private hospitals, in case of any complaint they shall bring this to the notice of the said private hospital and if required, inform this court." 

Case Details : ACID SURVIVORS SAAHAS FOUNDATION (NGO) Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.| W.P.(C) No. 1252/2023