Orissa High Court Asks State To Apprise Steps Taken To Provide Free Medical Treatment & Surgeries To Acid Attack Victims

The Orissa High Court has asked the State to apprise it about the steps taken by the Government to provide free medical treatment and reconstructive surgeries to the victims of acid attacks.

The Single Bench of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo was hearing a bail application filed under Section 389 of the CrPC by a person convicted for causing assault to the victim by acid attack.

On the previous date, the Court had asked the counsel for the State to produce photograph of the victim so as to assess her condition. In compliance of the earlier order, the counsel for the State produced the photograph of the victim.

After perusing the photo, the Court observed that the face of the victim has been completely disfigured for which she requires immediate medical intervention, especially surgical intervention, i.e. plastic reconstructive surgery.

The Court then proceeded on to remind the State about the guidelines passed in Laxmi v. Union of India, wherein the Apex Court has stressed on role of the State in proper treatment, aftercare and rehabilitation of the victims of acid attacks.

The Supreme Court in Laxmi (supra) had directed the State Governments and Union Territories to take steps to provide free medical treatment, bedding, food and reconstructive surgery to all the victims of acid attacks.

Having regard for the aforesaid order of the top Court, the Court asked the counsel for the State to obtain instruction as to what sort of provisions have been made by the Government of Odisha to provide medical treatment, particularly, plastic surgery to the acid attack victims.

As far as the victim in this case was concerned, Justice Sahoo ordered the Superintendent of Police, Jagatsinghpur to produce the victim before the Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, who shall be examined by a team of doctors.

“…if proper facilities for her treatment are available, so far as plastic reconstructive surgery is concerned, then the same has to be immediately provided to her free of cost. If the said treatment is not available in S.C.B.M.C.H., the State shall make necessary arrangement of the treatment of the victim in other Government/private hospital either inside the State or outside,” the Court further directed.

The SP, Jagatsinghpur was also ordered to submit a report regarding medical treatment of the victim along with the report of the Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital on the next date of hearing.

Case Title: Bapi @ Santosh Kumar Bedant v. State of Odisha

Case No: CRLA No. 503 of 2022

Date of Order: February 08, 2024

Counsel for the Petitioner: Mr. B.S. Dasparida, Advocate

Counsel for the State: Mr. Arupananda Das Addl. Govt. Advocate

Click Here To Read/Download Order