Question : ACID ATTACKS ON WOMEN



(a) whether cases of acid attacks on women are on the rise in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the existing legal provisions are sufficient to deter/prevent/check such criminal acts; and

(d) if so the details thereof?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): The National Crime Records Bureau and the Ministry of Women and Child Development have informed that they do not have any data in this regard.

(c) & (d): A writ petition (Crl.) No.129 of 2006- Laxmi (minor) through her father vs. Union of India and others has been filed in the Supreme Court of India. The prayers made in the Writ Petition, inter alia, include to make an amendment in the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code for dealing with acid attack as a special offence as according to the petition the existing provisions are not enough. The Supreme Court of India has not yet pronounced its verdict. The matter is sub-judice