Supreme Court on Acid Attacks: Asset Seizure, Deterrence & Victim-Centric Justice

UPSC Prelims & Mains-Oriented Analysis

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Why in News?

In 2026, the Supreme Court of India recommended seizure and auction of assets of convicted acid attackers to compensate victims. The Court stressed the need for extraordinary punitive measures and called for legislative intervention by the Centre.

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Key Observations of the Supreme Court

1. Asset Seizure as Punishment & Compensation

• SC suggested:

  • All assets of convicted acid attackers be identified

  • Embargo on third-party transfer

  • Transparent auction

  • Proceeds to be paid to victims

• Police to:

  • Investigate assets

  • Submit details along with chargesheet

📌 Prelims Angle: Expansion of victim compensation jurisprudence.

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2. Deterrence Over Reformative Justice

• Chief Justice Surya Kant:

  • Acid attacks require punitive measures beyond ordinary criminal law

  • “Reformative approach has no place for acid attackers”

• Emphasised:

  • Punishment must be “extremely painful” to deter future crimes

  • Especially important to protect young women and children

📌 Ethics Paper IV: Deterrence vs reformative justice debate.

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Acid Attack: Not an Ordinary Crime

Supreme Court’s Strong Comparison

• SC stated:

  • Acid attack should not be seen as less serious than dowry death

• Suggested:

  • Shifting the burden of proof onto the accused

  • Creating a special sentencing framework

  • Removing it from general sentencing policy

📌 Mains GS II: Judicial call for stricter legislative framework.

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Petition by Shaheen Malik (Acid Attack Survivor)

Human Dimension (Important for Ethics & Essay)

• Survivor of acid attack in her 20s

• Underwent 25 surgeries

• Described:

  • Extreme physical and mental trauma

  • Loss of identity and vision

• Case timeline:

  • 16 years of legal struggle

  • Accused acquitted by trial court

  • Appeal pending in High Court

Supreme Court’s Response

• Offered:

  • Best legal aid counsel

  • Direction to expedite High Court hearing

📌 Ethics: Empathy, dignity, access to justice.

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Directions Issued to States (Highly Prelims-Relevant)

The Supreme Court ordered States to submit detailed data, including:

Data on Acid Attack Cases

• Year-wise incidents

• Number of chargesheets

• Cases decided

• Pending appeals

Victim-Centric Details

• Brief particulars of each victim

• Academic qualifications

• Employment status

• Marital status

• Medical treatment received

• Expenditure under State rehabilitation schemes

Special Focus

• Victims forcibly made to ingest acid

• Details of special schemes for acid attack survivors

📌 Prelims Trap: Court seeking socio-economic profiling, not just crime data.

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Acid Attack Pending Cases: State-wise Data

State	Pending Cases
Uttar Pradesh	198
West Bengal	160
Gujarat	114
Bihar	68
Maharashtra	58

📌 Prelims: Uttar Pradesh has the highest number.

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Constitutional & Legal Framework (Quick Revision)

Relevant IPC Provisions

• Section 326A: Acid attack (minimum 10 years to life imprisonment + fine)

• Section 326B: Attempt to acid attack

Constitutional Articles

• Article 21: Right to life with dignity

• Article 14: Equality before law

• Article 15(3): Special provisions for women

Victim Compensation

• Section 357A CrPC: Victim Compensation Scheme

• Supreme Court expanding scope beyond statutory limits

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Why This Judgment Matters (UPSC Perspective)

Governance & Polity

• Pushes for victim-centric criminal justice

• Strengthens State accountability

Women & Social Justice

• Recognises acid attack as a gendered crime

• Addresses long-term rehabilitation

Judicial Activism

• Court nudging legislature for policy reform

• Expands interpretation of punishment and compensation

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Likely UPSC Prelims MCQ

Q. With reference to acid attack cases in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Supreme Court has suggested seizure and auction of assets of convicted acid attackers for victim compensation.

2. Acid attacks are presently treated under a special sentencing policy separate from general criminal law.

3. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of pending acid attack cases among States.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1 and 3 only

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Mains Answer Value Addition (One Line)

“The Supreme Court’s approach marks a decisive shift from offender-centric reform to victim-centric deterrence, reaffirming dignity as the core of Article 21.”