Acid attack survivor seeks rehabilitation and compensation

Gulnaz Begum vs State of J&K and others, WP 324/17 | J&K High Court | |

The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioner for seeking the benefit under and interms of section 545-A (VCS-2013) of J&K code of criminal procedure. The petitioner is a victim of vitriolic assault which was committed by the three persons on 16th November 2006, which resulted in 60% burn injuries on the face and loss of one eye. Since then, the petitioner has not been given a single penny neither by state/central government nor by any NGO despite the several representations. The petitioner had to undergo for more than 10 surgeries since she was assaulted, more than 5 lacs have been spend by the family for medical treatment. The petitioner after feeling acute and severe pain in January 2017, the petitioner was taken to Chandigarh for treatment whereby she was told to get operated and the cost of operation would be nearly 1.5 lacs. The family did not have the money to get the petitioner/victim operated. Hence the instant petition. Facts Gulnaz Begum, a victim of male chauvinism lives in a place called Kishtwar and lives a life in a very abject poverty. In order to earn livelihood and support the family, Gulnaz opened up a boutique cum beauty parlor shop in her native place but the attitude of neighbors began to change with each passing day as Gulnaz started to earn a good living. Three rogue persons hatched a conspiracy to tumble down her source of livelihood as she began to receive threat messages but she did not know that one day her whole life will be disfigured. In 2006, Gulnaz was assaulted with acid while returning from her boutique. As a result of attack, she lost her one eye and with the other one she could see little. Although Gulnaz has undergone for more than ten surgeries but she continues to be in agony and pain. Prayer Petitioner seeks rehabilitation and compensation and therefore seeks the benefit of section 545-A (VCS-2013) of J&K code of criminal procedure. Petitioner also seeks the medical rehabilitation. Status The respondents have been directed to give the benefit of SRO 229 (545-A J&K CrPC ) to the petitioner.