The Allahabad High Court has issued a summons to the principal secretaries of Uttar Pradesh's home and women and child welfare departments, directing them to appear on May 25 with a concrete policy framework for compensation, rehabilitation, and long-term support of acid attack survivors.
Court's Directive
The order came after the court noted that the state had failed to establish a comprehensive support system even nine years after a survivor's life-altering attack. The bench, comprising Justices Saral Srivastava and Garima Prashad, sought a proposed mechanism for medical treatment, reconstructive surgeries, counselling, education, and employment assistance for survivors.
Criticism of One-Time Handouts
In its order dated May 14, the court criticized the Uttar Pradesh government's reliance on one-time financial handouts, emphasizing that a victim's recovery requires lifetime structural support rather than sporadic, minor payments. The court asked the government to explain how compensation amounts would be rationalized, considering the nature and extent of injuries and lifelong consequences suffered by survivors.
Court's Observation
The court observed, "Despite repeated opportunities granted by this court and specific queries raised in earlier orders, no satisfactory explanation has been furnished as to why a comprehensive policy for acid attack survivors has not yet been framed by the state government. The material placed before us does not disclose any concrete endeavor undertaken at the highest administrative level to address the issue in a time-bound and effective manner."
Summons for Senior Officials
"In the aforesaid circumstances, we are of the considered opinion that the matter requires direct deliberation with the senior-most authorities of the departments concerned so that the impediments, if any, in the formulation of an effective policy may be identified and appropriate measures may be evolved without any further delay," the bench said.
The summons were issued during a hearing for a plea filed by an acid attack survivor seeking state-backed rehabilitation. The court has sought a concrete policy framework to ensure long-term support for survivors, moving beyond one-time compensation.
