Supreme Court concerned over rehab of acid victims

New Delhi: Voicing concern over improper rehabilitation of the acid attack victims, the Supreme Court on Friday asked the government to apprise it of steps taken to provide free treatment to the survivors of the heinous crime.

 

A social justice bench, comprising justices Madan B. Lokur and U.U. Lalit, directed the Union home secretary to convene a meeting of chief secretaries and their counterparts in states in four weeks to work out modalities to implement Section 357C of the CrPC (Criminal Law Amendment Act 2013). 

It mandates provision of free treatment by public and private hospitals to the victims of acid attack.

 

“How do you propose to implement Section 357C of CrPC? What is the mechanism for providing free treatment? Parliament has passed a legislation and it has to be implemented.

 

“We direct Union home secretary to file an affidavit in the form of a chart in this regard within six weeks,” the bench, while hearing a PIL filed in 2006 by Delhi-based acid attack victim Laxmi, said.

 

During the hearing, advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for an acid victim, told the apex court that earlier directions issued by the apex court have been complied with, except on the issue of the State bearing 100 per cent cost of treatment.

 

“Haryana has framed a scheme for providing 100 per cent medical expenses for specialised plastic surgery, corrective surgeries and specialised psychological treatment to the acid attack victims. Other states are yet not clear on their stand,” she said.

 

Expressing concern over the “erratic” compensation being paid to acid attack victims, Mr Bhat told the apex court that the post-operative care of the victims was also very poor. Earlier, the SC had asked chief secretaries of all states to file response on providing free-of-cost treatment, , to the victims.