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Acid attacks highest in patriarchal societies, Delhi among worst states

The Times of India

Acid attacks 2010, 2011, 2012

Patriarchal societies such as Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana — with worst sex ratios — account for most number of acid attack victims while the northeastern states, where women play a more decisive role in society, have negligible number of such attacks, government data shows. While a total of 57 cases with 65 victims were recorded in 2010, in 2012, the figure jumped to 85 cases with 101 victims. Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar together accounted for 53% of all victims. Delhi (31) and UP (39) accounted for 27% of all victims in the country between 2010 and 2012. The data also shows that arrests and prosecution have had no deterring effect, making it a problem of social attitude rather than law and order

Patriarchal societies top acid attacks

Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana Have Worst Sex Ratio, Account For Most No. Of Victims

Deeptiman Tiwary TNN

New Delhi: Government data on acid attacks point to patriarchal societies such as UP, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana — among states with worst sex ratios — accounting for most number of victims while those with greater role for women, such as the northeast, having negligible number of such attacks. The data, collected for 2010, 2011 and 2012, assume significance in the light of the December 3 Supreme Court order, directing all states and union territories to frame rules on acid sale by March this year.

Interestingly, the data, released by the home ministry, shows that arrests and prosecution have had no deterring effect on the crime which kept on rising year on year, making it a problem of social attitude than a law and order issue.

While a total of 57 cases with 65 victims were recorded in 2010, in 2012 the figure jumped to 85 with 101 victims.

Delhi, UP, Punjab, Haryana and Bihar together accounted for 53% of all victims. In fact, Delhi (31 victims) and UP (39 victims) alone accounted for 27% of all victims (264) in the country between 2010 and 2012.

That police action has had little effect in curbing the crime is evident from the fact that in 225 cases in the given period, 318 people were arrested and 305 prosecuted. Still attacks kept increasing year on year.

Delhi has been the only laggard among states with a large number of cases in delivering justice to the victims. In the 31 cases registered in Delhi, only 26 people were arrested and chargesheeted. In all other states, number of arrests and people chargesheeted is higher than the number of cases registered.

States in the northeast, where several societies are matriarchal and women make a large chunk of the workforce, have nil to single digit cases of acid attacks. Among larger states, Tamil Nadu has one of the best records with just one case in the past three years.

The apex court had on July 16, 2013 issued detailed directions to all state governments and union territories to frame rules within three months for regulating the sale of acid. However, after repeated lapses of the deadline and only Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry, making some headway, the SC issued fresh directives on December 3.

Judgements of the superior courts

Pay Rs 3 lakh compensation to each acid attack victim, SC tells state govts

Dhananjay Mahapatra, TNN | Jul 18, 2013

The Times of India

Ex gratia aid

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has enhanced compensation from state governments to acid attack victims to a uniform Rs 3 lakh across the country. Earlier, the compensation used to vary and was up to Rs 50,000.

Sale of acid

The apex court, in its verdict on Thursday, directed state governments to implement stringent norms for retail sale of acid treating it as a poison under the Poisons Act, 1919, within 3 months.

The SC also banned sale of acid to minors and said that acid can be sold to only those who have valid identity cards issued by the government.

Non-bailable offence

The apex court has asked the Centre and states to make the acid attack offence non-bailable.