Delhi Court Grants Rs 20 Lakhs Compensation to Acid Attack Victims, Offers Employment to One of the Girls

In a powerful instance of restorative justice, a Delhi Court has awarded Rs 20 lakhs as compensation to three victims of a brutal acid attack, including two young girls. The Court also directed the Delhi Government to offer employment to one of the victims, who is now a graduate and major, in a role suitable to her qualifications and medical needs.

The Acid Attack Incident

The acid attack took place on 18th February 2017 in the Vishnu Garden area of Khyala, West Delhi. The victims—D, his two minor daughters, 'I' (14 years) and 'B' (11 years)—were cruelly attacked with acid. The court observed that this case starkly illustrated the devastating consequences of the reckless use of acid, leaving lasting scars, both physical and emotional, on the victims' lives.

Restoring Justice: Compensation and Support for the Victims

In a heartening move to provide restorative and compensatory justice, the court directed the District Legal Services Authority of West Delhi to award Rs 20 Lakhs in total compensation to the victims. The breakdown of the compensation is as follows:

• Rs 9 Lakhs for daughter 'I' (14 years).
• Rs 4 Lakhs each for daughter 'B' and their father 'D'.
• Rs 1 Lakh each for all three victims under the Avlamban Fund Scheme 2024.

This award is in addition to the Rs 3 Lakhs each that were already paid to the two minor daughters.

The Impact of Acid Attacks

In its ruling, the court stressed the far-reaching effects of acid attacks. Beyond the immediate physical scars, such attacks inflict deep psychological wounds, stripping victims of their self-identity and affecting their ability to live normal lives. The court described how these attacks not only result in disfigurement but also create a lifetime of psychological trauma, including the potential for blindness.