Question : REHABILITATION OF VICTIMS OF ACID ATTACKS

(a) whether the Supreme Court has expressed concern regarding the rehabilitation of the victims of acid attacks and sought information on the measures taken by the Government for the treatment of such victims;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Supreme Court has directed to provide free and immediate medical attention to the victims of acid attacks and has also directed that private hospitals be included to provide free and immediate medical attention to the said victims and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government is considering to enforce Section 357C of the Criminal Procedure Code in consultation with the State Governments; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the benefits likely to be provided to the victims of acid attacks as a result of the enforcement of the said Section and the progress made so far, in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Hon’ble Supreme Court while adjudicating in W.P.(Crl) 129 of 2006; Laxmi Vs. Union of India on 06.02.2015, directed the Government to simplify the procedural aspects of Section 357C of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.) pertaining to payment of the hospitalization, medical treatment, etc. in case of acid attack victims.

(c) to (e): In the aforesaid judgment, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has referred to the cost of treatment as envisaged in Section 357C of Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.). The issue of providing free medical treatment to the acid attack victims has already been addressed through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 through insertion of Section 166B in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which provides for punishment upto one year, in case the hospitals (public or private) do not provide first aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the victims of acid attack.

The Section 357C of the Cr. P.C. stipulates that all hospital, public or private whether run by the Central Government, the State Govt., local bodies or by any other persons shall immediately, provide the first-aid or medical treatment, free of cost, to the acid attack and victims of any offence covered under Sec. 326A, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D or 376E of the Indian Penal Code, and shall immediately inform the police of such incident. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed the Government to form a streamlined mechanism particularly with regard to the payment of the hospitalization, medical treatment, etc. in consultation with the States/ UTs to the acid attack victims.