Introduction :
Acid attack also called as acid throwing is a attack or virtriolage is an extremely violent form of assault defined as the act of throwing acid onto the body of another. The intention behind such attack is to disfigure,maim,torture or sometimes kill.
The attackers specially targets the victim's face often ends up with burning them, and damaging their skin tissues, sometimes the amount of acid is so vicious that it even dissolves the bones of the victim. The long term consequences of these attacks may include blindness,as well as everlasting scars on the face and body,along with extensive social, psychological and economic onerous.
Acid attacks in India :
Acid attack is one of the most barbarous crime in a country like India. Analysed by some official news reports it reveals that 72% of the reported attacks included at least one female victim. According to NCRB( National crime records bureau) between 2014 and 2018 there have been 1,483 victims of acid attack in the country.
The year 2017 had recorded the highest number of acid throwing in these mentioned 5 years, that is 319 victims,along with it a total number of 596 acid attack cases were reported in 2017 and 2018 with 623 victims.
The 10 most toxic States in India with the highest number of acid attack victims from 2014 to 2018 are mentioned as follows :-
Uttar Pradesh : 260
West Bengal : 248
Delhi : 114
Madhya Pradesh : 59
Odisha : 52
Punjab : 50
Andhra Pradesh : 47
Haryana : 46
Bihar : 39
Gujarat : 37
States like Uttar Pradesh,Delhi and West Bengal have been persistently ranking among the worst states in terms of acid attack from the year 2014 to 2018. These 3 states alone make up 42% of the victims of acid attack in India during these 5 years. The main motivation behind such brutality is - revenge, Revenge by spurned lovers,rejection of marriage and refusal by women of sexual advances or sometimes dowry disagreement have been shown to increasing acid attacks. A marker of how prevalent male egoism, patriarchy and misogyny are in the society.
Punishment for acid attacks in India :
According to Indian penal code section 326 A whoever causes permanent or partial damage to any part or parts of the body of a person or causes grievous hurt by throwing acid on or by administering acid to that person, or by using any other means with the intention of causing or with the knowledge that he is likely to cause such injury or hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than 10 years but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and with fine.
The fine shall include all the medical treatment expenses of the victim. Until 2013, acid attacks were not considered as a separate offence in India. The Supreme Court banned the sale of acids in retail stores for the first time in which compensation was provided to the victim.
In 2017, the prevention of Acid Attacks and Rehabilitation of Acid attack victims bill was introduced to provide for steps to prevent acid attacks by regulating the sale, supply and use of acid, as well as other measures.
Conclusion :
The easy and cheap availability of acids has made it a potent weapon in the hands of offenders. Despite legislative provisions and judicial directives, acid continues to sell freely. People can easily purchase it from some shops as a toilet cleaner. The government should try to make some more strict laws to prevent the availability of acids, so that no innocent could be the next prey for some blood thirsty cannibals.