Supreme Court directs states to frame rule on sale of acid by March 31

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court set a deadline of March 31 next year for state governments to frame rules for regulating sale of acid and other corrosive substances to prevent their misuse particularly by jilted lovers.

A bench headed by Justice RM Lodha also asked all Chief Secretaries to file response on providing free-of-cost treatment, including plastic surgery, to acid attack victims.

"We direct the Chief Secretaries of all states and the administrator of the Union Territories to comply with the direction given in the order on July 18 and frame rules in tune with model rules framed by Centre to regulate the sale of acid at the earliest and possibly by March 31,2014," the bench said.

It directed that whenever an FIR is lodged in an acid attack case, the SDM of the area concerned will hold inquiry into the procurement of acid by the "wrongdoer".

In a bid to curb acid attacks on women, the apex court had earlier directed that this crime be made a non-bailable offence and had enhanced to Rs three lakh the compensation amount for the victim.

The court had said that a photo identity card containing residential address issued by authorities concerned would be required for purchasing such substances which in any case cannot be sold to a person who is below 18 years.

The bench, which was hearing a PIL filed in 2006 by Delhi- based acid attack victim Laxmi, who was then a minor, had also passed a slew of interim directions on various issues, including sale of acids.

"We direct that the acid attack victims shall be paid a compensation of at least Rs three lakh by the state government concerned as an after-care and rehabilitation cost for such victims," the court had said.

The court had also said that out of the compensation amount of Rs three lakh, Rs one lakh will be paid within 15 days of bringing to the notice of the state government the occurrence of the attack.