A CRITICALLY ANALYSE THE VICTIM’S COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR ACID ATTACKS

Acid attacks constitute one of the most heinous and gendered forms of violence, inflicting irreversible physical disfigurement, psychological trauma, and social ostracization upon survivors. Unlike many other violent crimes, acid attacks are uniquely cruel in that their consequences are often lifelong, requiring repeated medical interventions, reconstructive surgeries, and sustained psychological and social support. In India, the increasing recognition of acid violence as a serious human rights violation has led to significant legal and policy reforms, particularly in the areas of criminalisation, regulation of acid sale, and victim compensation. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 formally recognised acid attack as a distinct offence under Sections 326A and 326B of the Indian Penal Code. Parallelly, Section 357A of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandated the establishment of Victim Compensation Schemes by states to provide financial assistance to victims of crime, including acid attack survivors. Judicial intervention, particularly in Laxmi v. Union of India, further strengthened the framework by directing states to provide a minimum compensation of ₹3 lakh to acid attack victims, along with free medical treatment in public and private hospitals. These measures were intended to ensure immediate relief and facilitate long-term rehabilitation.