Acid attack not only leaves visible wounds on the face or body, but sometimes also causes serious injuries inside the body, which affect the entire life of the victim. Till now, victims who did not have visible external deformities were not able to get many rights and facilities under the Disability Act. But now the central government has decided to change this situation.
The Center has told the Supreme Court that victims who suffered internal injuries from acid attacks have also now been included under the ambit of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. For this, notification of amendment in the law has also been issued. In May this year, the Supreme Court had told the Central Government that victims of such acid attacks should also be included within the ambit of the 2016 law.
should get benefit of law
This matter came to light after the direction of the Supreme Court, in which the court had told the Central Government in May 2026 that not only the victims who appear deformed externally, but also those people who have suffered serious damage inside the body due to the acid attack, should get the benefit of the Disability Act. The court had acknowledged that internal injuries can have as profound an impact on a person’s normal life, working capacity and health as external wounds.
Will get government assistance
After this change, such victims will also be able to benefit from the facilities and rights available under the Disability Act. These may include access to government schemes, rehabilitation, legal rights in education and employment and other assistance. Now not only will it be seen whether there are external marks on the body or not, but the actual physical damage caused by the acid attack will also be given importance.
When will it be considered to exist?
Giving this information before the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, the government said that a notification of change in the law has also been issued. The Supreme Court said that this amendment will be considered to be in existence from the date of implementation of the law.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant was hearing the petition of acid attack victim Shaheen Malik. During the hearing, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi told that till now only external physical disability was included in the Disabled Persons Act of 2016. On this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the law has been amended and victims who suffered internal injuries from acid attacks have also been included in it.
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