In landmark judgement, Supreme Court rules that acid attack victims are to be recognised as disabled

Parivartan Kendra vs. UOI & Ors. (WP (CIVIL) No. 867/2013), the PIL on Acid Attack Cases. The Supreme Court in its Judgment has directed the Bihar Government to compensate the acid attack survivor with Rs. 10 Lakhs, and her sister to with Rs. 3 Lakhs. C and S, two sisters who belong to the Dalit community from Bihar were brutally attacked with acid on October 21, 2012. C suffered burns on 28% of her body and 90% of her face, following the acid attack. Parivartan Kendra, a women's group, filed a petition with the support of SLIC seeking to ensure that acid attack survivors are properly rehabilitated and are treated with immediate care, sensitivity and skill. It was additionally pointed out that the compensation amount of Rs. 3 Lakhs granted due to the Orders passed by the Supreme Court in Laxmi v. Union of India & Ors. (WP (Crl). No. 129 of 2006) was grossly inadequate, especially when the survivor has suffered serious injuries on her body which is required to be taken into consideration. And that the Laxmi order is not restrictive in deciding the compensation amount. The Court has additionally directed all the States and Union Territories to consider the plight of such victims and take appropriate steps with regard to inclusion of their names under the disability list. This direction is significant as it will help the acid attack survivors gain an employment by the state under the reserved category.