A CRITICAL STUDY ON PREVENTIVE LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST ACID ATTACKS IN INDIA WITH REFERENCE TO TAMIL NADU

Acid violence is a serious socio-legal issue that affects the bodily integrity, dignity, mental health, and social life of survivors. In India, legal reforms after the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, and later statutory developments under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, have attempted to create a stronger framework for punishment, prevention, compensation, and medical assistance. However, the continued occurrence of such offences shows that legal provisions alone are insufficient without effective enforcement and social awareness. This article studies the causes and consequences of acid attacks, examines the preventive legal framework, and analyses its practical effectiveness with special reference to Tamil Nadu. It further highlights challenges relating to acid sale regulation, victim compensation, rehabilitation, and institutional coordination. The article concludes that a combined approach involving strict enforcement, public awareness, gender sensitisation, and timely victim support is necessary to strengthen prevention and ensure meaningful justice for survivors.