Acid attacks are a heinous crime that causes severe physical and psychological trauma to the victims. In India, the punishment for acid attacks is governed by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, which introduced specific provisions related to acid attacks. These provisions were incorporated into the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under Sections 326A and 326B.
Section 326A of the IPC deals with the offense of acid attack, stating that anyone who causes permanent or partial damage or deformity to another person’s body or face by throwing acid can be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years, which may extend to life imprisonment, along with a fine. In case the acid attack results in the death of the victim, the minimum punishment is imprisonment for a term of not less than twenty years, which may extend to life imprisonment or death, along with a fine.
Section 326B of the IPC deals with attempted acid attacks, stating that anyone who attempts to commit an offense under Section 326A shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years, which may extend to seven years, along with a fine.
It’s important to note that sentencing in specific cases may vary depending on the circumstances, severity of the attack, and the discretion of the court. While I cannot provide real-time information on recent cases, I can mention a few notable cases that have received significant media attention in the past:
- Laxmi Agarwal Case (2005): Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor and activist, was attacked in 2005 at the age of 15 by a man who wanted to marry her. The perpetrator was sentenced to ten years in prison under Section 326A.
- Sonali Mukherjee Case (2003): Sonali Mukherjee, another acid attack survivor, was attacked in 2003 by three men. The attackers received nine years of imprisonment under Section 326A.
- Acid attack on Preeti Rathi (2013): Preeti Rathi, a 23-year-old woman, was attacked with acid in Mumbai while she was on her way to work. The attacker was found guilty and sentenced to death under Section 326A as the attack resulted in her death.
These cases highlight the severity of the crime and the need for strong legal measures to address acid attacks in India. It’s worth noting that in addition to criminal punishment, there are also efforts to provide medical, financial, and psychological support to the victims through various government schemes and initiatives.