Lucknow: The Allahabad High Court has said that remedial steps have to be taken for acid attack victims because they endure sufferings everyday for whole life and the wrong done always haunt them.
With this observation, the Court directed the state government to file an affidavit (reply) indicating its stand regarding payment of compensation to such victims and show cause why a compensation of Rs 3 lakh will not be paid to the victim of the present case.
It also directed to specify in an affidavit regarding the steps taken for banning the sale of acid.
Justice Sudhir Kumar Saxena gave this order on August 19 on a criminal appeal filed by Mohd. Kaleem, a convict in an acid attack case here.
The appellant sought bail in this case after he had been convicted and awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment by a trial court in this case under charges including that of 307 (attempt to murder) IPC having thrown acid on a victim injuring him seriously. He is in jail since July 27, 2010.
"It is high time a victim of offence is also taken care of. Feeling of victory of justice lurking in his mind will be a subterfuge unless adequate steps for rehabilitation are not taken. Remidial steps have to be taken for all acid victims because they endure those sufferings everyday for whole life and wrong done to them would haunt every time " the HC said.
It referred to a Supreme Court ruling of 2014, in which, minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh was directed in addition to free medical treatment of the victim of acid attack and a ban on sale of acid etc.
The Hich Court said that "prima facie it is found that the victim of this case is entitled to compensation as his fifty percent body stands burnt in acid attack. Before considering the prayer for bail , it would be proper to determine this question as well. Criminal justice system has to take care of both accused as well as victim".
The High Court listed the matter on September 1.
