Compensation Not Enough for Acid Attack Victims: Delhi HC to AAP Government

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has asked the Delhi Government to reply by Friday on the plea filed by an acid attack victim for an increase in the compensation and medical expenses.

The bench led by Justice Manmohan has asked the Counsel appearing for the government on why the compensation money can’t be increased, and declined to accept its arguments which opposed paying more than RS 3 lakh. The bench directed the Delhi government that it “take a decision at the highest level” and reply by Friday.

The victim is a 19 years old girl who was attacked by her tenant when he threw acid on her in 2006. The attack was the result of a dispute arose when the assailant was asked to evict the property.

The girl is seeking Rs 50 lakhs demanding that all her medical costs be borne by the State. As per the Supreme Court directive which came last year, the compensation money for all the acid attack victims was raised from 50,000 to three lakhs. It had also ordered that all the medical costs for restructuring, plastic surgery, etc. were to be borne by the hospitals, including private ones.

The apex court also had banned the over the counter sale of acid and like substances invoking the Poison Act, 1919. It was ruled then that any such substance is to be sold only to individuals carrying a special identity card issued to them under specific circumstances according to the need.

According to the plea filed by the victim, she was paid her compensation only in 2015 and had not received any medical expense till then.