Gujarat High Court notice to state govt over rules regulating acid sale

The Gujarat High Court sought a reply from the state government after a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking effective implementation of the rules related to the sale and use of acids came up for hearing.

The petitioner—Gujarat Scientific Association—demanded the court's intervention to put an end to acid attacks, on Wednesday.

Notably, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav issued a notice to the state government directing it to file its reply in the matter by April 16.

As per the petitioner-organisation, the Supreme Court had directed the Union government in 2013 to frame rules to regulate the sale of acid in view of the rampant acid attacks across the country.

The Centre framed the Model Poison Possession and Sale Rules under the Poisons Act, 1919, and directed the states to notify the said rules to the states.

In November 2014, the state government notified the rules but allegedly gave exception to manufacturers and wholesale dealers of acids from its applicability.

It is the petitioner's claim that the exclusion of manufacturers and wholesale dealers in the rules go against the intent of the Supreme Court behind issuing the directions to the Centre.

The petitioner-organisation has also alleged that the retail traders are hauled up every time any acid attack takes place despite the poison or acid having been sold by the dealers engaged in the wholesale business.

It also claimed that it has raised several objections in the draft rules issued by the state government. However, its objections were not entertained.