APTLY COMPENSATE ACID ATTACK VICTIMS, SAYS HC
LUCKNOW: Hearing the bail plea of an acid attack convict, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Tuesday said remedial steps had to be taken for victims because they endure sufferings every day for whole life. Directing the state government to file a reply indicating its stand on payment of compensation to such victims and why a compensation of ` 3 lakh be not paid to victim of the present case, the court directed it to specify the steps taken for banning the sale of acid.
LUCKNOW: Hearing the bail plea of an acid attack convict, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court on Tuesday said remedial steps had to be taken for victims because they endure sufferings every day for whole life.
Directing the state government to file a reply indicating its stand on payment of compensation to such victims and why a compensation of Rs 3 lakh be not paid to victim of the present case, the court directed it to specify the steps taken for banning the sale of acid.
Justice Sudhir Kumar Saxena gave this order on a criminal appeal filed by Mohd Kaleem, a convict in an acid attack case.
Appellant who had been convicted and awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment by a trial case has sought bail. He is in jail since July 27, 2010.
“It is high time that the victim of offence is also taken care of. Feeling of victory of justice lurking in his mind will be a subterfuge unless adequate steps for rehabilitation are not taken,” the court said while referring to a Supreme Court ruling of 2014, in which, minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh was ordered in addition to free medical treatment of the victim.
The court said that prima facie it was found that the victim of this case is entitled to compensation as his 50% body stands burnt in the acid attack.
“Before considering the prayer for bail, it would be proper to determine this question as well. Criminal justice system has to take care of both accused as well as victim,” the court said while listing the case for hearing on September 1.