Taking a strong view of acid attacks as "an extremely violent crime," the law commission has recommended the offender be sent to 10-year imprisonment, extendable up to life term and fined Rs10 lakh by including the offence in the Indian Penal Code. It also called for banning the sale of acid in the open market.
In its report to the government, the commission also proposed enactment of 'Criminal Injuries Compensation Act' to provide interim and final monetary compensation to victims of violent crimes such as acid attacks, rape and sexual assault, and for providing medical and other expenses for their rehabilitation.
It also pointed out that there was "no special section" in the Indian Penal Code to deal with acid attacks, resulting in the crimes not being recorded separately, and the existing IPC sections dealing with causing grievous hurt by throwing corrosive substance being "insufficient and inadequate" to deal with the issue.
"We propose that a new section 326A be added to IPC. We further recommend that the distribution and sale of acid be strictly regulated and the sale of acid across shop counters be banned," the Commission, which took up acid attacks suo motu, recommended in its latest report.
Noting that most acid attack victims in the country were women, the commission said that as a result of the attack their arms, face and other body parts were severely disfigured and deformed.
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