O R D E R
1. Pursuant to the order dated 04.12.2025, around 17 High Courts have sent the details of pending cases concerning 'Acid Attacks'. It appears that the maximum number of cases, i.e., 198 cases are pending in the State of Uttar Pradesh, followed by 160 pending cases in West Bengal, 114 pending cases in Gujarat, 68 pending cases in Bihar, and 58 pending cases in Maharashtra.
2. Except for the 17 High Courts mentioned in the Office Report, the status reports from other High Courts are still awaited.
3. We request all the High Courts to consider the desirability of taking a decision for expeditious conclusion of the trials in the matters concerning acid attacks, in a time-bound manner and if required, even on an out-of-turn basis.
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Re: Rehabilitation Scheme for the Victims of Acid Attack
4. While we have directed the High Courts to expedite and take the trials in the matters concerning acid attacks to their logical conclusion, it is equally incumbent upon the State and all concerned authorities to consider, formulate, and act upon appropriate rehabilitation measures for victims of acid attacks. As such, all the State Legal Services Authorities are directed to submit a report with respect to the scheme, if any, implemented by them for the grant of compensation, rehabilitation and medical aid to the victims of acid attack. If no such specific scheme has been formulated so far, we request the Executive Chairpersons of the State Legal Services Authorities to do the needful and submit a compliance report.
5. In addition, all the States and Union Territories are also directed to furnish the following information:
(i) The incidents of acid attack reported (year-wise).
(ii) Whether charge-sheets in those cases were filed or not?
(iii) How many cases have been decided and how many are still pending at the trial stage?
(iv) How many appeals arising out of the trials of acid attacks are pending?
(v) The brief particulars of each victim of acid attack, their academic qualifications, current employment status, marital status, the medical treatment and the details of the expenditure incurred or committed to be incurred by the State on such treatment.
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6. The States are further directed to furnish separate details, including particulars of the victims of forceful ingestion/consumption of acid.
7. The needful shall be done by the State Governments, the High Courts, as well as the State Legal Services Authorities within a period of four weeks.
8. Post the matter on 09.03.2026.
(ARJUN BISHT) (PREETHI T.C.)
ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS ASSISTANT REGISTRAR
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