New Delhi, September 9: The Supreme Court today issued show-cause notice to the Chief Secretaries of Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Jammu & Kashmir on why contempt of court proceedings should not be brought against them for non-compliance with the previous orders on acid attack cases. They have been ordered to file their responses by September 23.
A bench headed by justice M Y Eqbal slammed five states for not filing affidavits in courts explaining the steps they have taken regarding the rehabiliation policy of acid attack survivors, despite repeated directions by the court and accused them of “willful defiance of apex court orders”.
The court passed the order on a PIL filed by a Bihar-based NGO Parivartan Kendra seeking court’s direction to government for the framing of policy of rehabilitation of the victims and to provide them with adequate relief and compensation
Advocates appearing for the states pleaded for a last opportunity of complying with the court’s previous orders but the SC today turned down their plea.
Earlier, the apex court had set a deadline of March 31 this year for state governments to frame rules for regulating sale of acid and other corrosive substances to prevent their misuse.
In a bid to curb acid attacks on women, it had even directed that this crime be made a non-bailable offence and had heightened the compensation amount.
The court had declared that a proper photo identity proof containing residential address would be required for purchasing such substances which in any case cannot be sold to a person who is below 18 years.
It had also stated in its previous orders that out of the compensation amount, Rs One lac would be paid within 15 days of bringing to the notice of the state government the occurrence of the incident.
In April the court had requested private hospitals to provide free treatment to acid attack victims which included reconstructive steps like plastic surgery if necessary.
Advocates appearing for the states pleaded for a last opportunity of complying with the court’s previous orders but the SC today turned down their plea.
Earlier, the apex court had set a deadline of March 31 this year for state governments to frame rules for regulating sale of acid and other corrosive substances to prevent their misuse.
In a bid to curb acid attacks on women, it had even directed that this crime be made a non-bailable offence and had heightened the compensation amount.
The court had declared that a proper photo identity proof containing residential address would be required for purchasing such substances which in any case cannot be sold to a person who is below 18 years.
It had also stated in its previous orders that out of the compensation amount, Rs One lac would be paid within 15 days of bringing to the notice of the state government the occurrence of the incident.
In April the court had requested private hospitals to provide free treatment to acid attack victims which included reconstructive steps like plastic surgery if necessary.