Acid attacks should come under 'heinous crime' category": ALL Ladies League

NEW DELHI: In the wake of spurt in acid attacks, an international women's body today proposed reforms in the law and demanded that such crimes should be put into the category of 'heinous crimes' making them non-bailable offence with death penalty.

A non-profit organization and leading international women's chamber operating from India, ALL Ladies League (ALL), also slammed the government saying that while Bangladesh has introduced death penalty for this atrocious crime and Pakistan has introduced a minimum 14 years jail sentence and fine of Rs ten lakh, "India is still thinking to put acid attacks into the category of 'heinous crime'."

"Acid attack is engraving its root in India and the lenient laws are incapable to protect the girls who are predominantly targeted. At least, 72 per cent victims are young women between the age group of 17-30 years. With 1,500 cases taking place world-wide every year, often snatches victims' liveliness and leave them with no other option but to live in isolation, more like a living dead," ALL Ladies League said in a press statement today.

Referring to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) it said that total 225 cases of acid attacks were reported in 2010-12, but the actual numbers are much higher and it could go up in future as acids are freely available in the market and no serious steps have been taken to control it.

"In a democracy like India, where every citizen enjoys the right to freedom, how free actually women feel when crime against is committed every three minutes. A helpline in New Delhi received 56 complaints of acid attacks in the first quarter of 2013, which shown its expanding grasps in the society," the statement.

While proposing extensive reforms in the law the organisation also demanded rehabilitation of acid attack victims through employment, education and adequate medical care along with monthly pension, concession on public transport and reservation in higher education and jobs to support their lives.