Supreme Court Amends Acid Attack Definition for Victims
On July 14, 2026, the Union government informed the Supreme Court about an amendment to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD) of 2016. The amendment extends the definition of ‘acid attack victim’ to include individuals with internal injuries from acid ingestion. A notification issued on May 22 defined an ‘acid attack victim’ as anyone disfigured externally or internally due to acid-related incidents. This change has retrospective effect, allowing victims with prior internal injuries to claim benefits under the 2016 Act. The previous law only recognized victims of acid-throwing. The Supreme Court had previously intervened to include survivors of forced acid ingestion, highlighting the need for comprehensive policies to protect these individuals.
Published 1 day ago • 14 Jul 2026, 09:44 PM IST