Thu Dec 04 06:59:04 UTC 2025: Summary:
The Supreme Court of India has directed all High Courts to provide details of pending acid attack trials within four weeks. This action comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, whose own case has been delayed for 16 years, prompting the court to label it a “national shame.” The court also issued notices to the Centre and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities regarding the plight of acid attack survivors and the need for their inclusion under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
News Article:
Supreme Court Demands Details on Pending Acid Attack Trials, Calls Delays “National Shame”
New Delhi – December 4, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has taken a firm stance on the issue of delayed justice for acid attack victims, directing all High Courts to submit detailed reports on pending trials within four weeks. The directive comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, whose own case has languished in a Delhi court since 2009.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed strong disapproval of the prolonged delays, calling Malik’s 16-year wait for justice a “national shame” and a “mockery of the legal system.” The court also issued notices to the Central Government and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to address the overall plight of acid attack survivors.
Malik’s PIL highlights the severe disabilities and challenges faced by survivors, many of whom require artificial feeding tubes and ongoing medical care. The court is considering a plea to formally categorize acid attack survivors as persons with disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to ensure access to crucial welfare schemes.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the issue would be treated with the seriousness it deserves. The CJI urged the Centre to consider amending the law, potentially through legislation or an ordinance, to expedite justice and provide better support for acid attack survivors. The Court suggested that special courts dedicated to these cases could lead to swift and fair resolutions. The court assured Ms. Malik that it may even take suo motu cognisance and asked her to file an application in the PIL itself explaining why the matter has not been concluded.
The Supreme Court’s intervention signals a strong commitment to addressing the systemic delays in acid attack trials and ensuring a more just outcome for survivors.
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