Delhi Court Awards Rs 20 Lakh Compensation To Acid Attack Victims, Asks Delhi Govt To Provide Employment

In what can be termed as an instance of restorative justice, a Delhi Court recently directed the grant of a total compensation of Rs 20 lakhs to three victims of acid attack, including two girls.

The Court also directed the Delhi Government to provide employment to one of the girls, who is now a major and a graduate, appropriate to her qualification and medical status.

Additional Sessions Judge (POCSO-6) Aditi Garg of Tis Hazari Courts passed the order while sentencing the accused, Raghav Mukhiya, to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and fine of Rs. 20,000/- as per Section 326A of the Indian Penal Code.

The incident happened on 18.02.2017 when a person D and his two minor daughters 'I' (14 yrs) and 'B' (11 yrs) were attacked by acid in the Vishnu Garden area of Khyala, West Delhi.

The Court held that “the present case reflects how lethal acid could be recklessly used scarring an adult and two minor for life”.

After interacting with the injured victims, the Court, in a significant ruling, ecognised that the incident destroyed the childhood of victims I & B, while taking away the employment opportunity from their father 'D'.

In order to provide 'restorative and compensatory justice' to the injured victims, the Court has directed the District Legal Services Authority of West District, Delhi to pay a total compensation of Rs. 20 Lakhs for the three acid attack victims (Rs. 9 Lakhs for daughter 'I' and Rs. 4 Lakhs each for daughter 'B' and the father along with Rs. 1 Lakh each for the three victims under the Avlamban Fund Scheme 2024). The Court had directed that this compensation will be in addition to the amount of compensation of Rs. 3 Lakhs each earlier paid to the two minor daughters.

"Scars of Life. The glaring and inhuman act of acid attack increased rampantly. It has transcended religion, gender and caste, across the world. Acid attacks are not only against women but also against minor children and it may be out of revenge or strong hostility. The aim of the culprit is not to kill the victim (s) but to leave them in a crippled condition which will hamper their day-to-day task and moreover which will lead to conditions unacceptable by society. Acid attack leaves scars and injuries on the body which are far from getting healed or cured. The effects of acid attack on the skin include blindness and permanent scars. It is immediate and devastating. But scars are not just physical and violence of this kind and consequent disfigurement also include psychological scars that manifest in the form of loss of self identity and more," the Court observed in the judgment.

The public prosecutor of this case was Mr.Aditya Trehan, who was assisted by Ms.Mangla Verma & Ms. Joicy(of Part III, Delhi-based advocacy group), Counsel for the complainant. Ms. Shobha Gupta was the Counsel for the accused.

The investigating officer was Sub-Inspector Deepak, of Khyala Police Station.

Click here to read the order