High court notice to state on ‘gender bias’ in aid for acid attack victims

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday issues a notice to the Punjab government on a petition alleging a “discriminatory” 2017 notification making a provision of ₹8,000 monthly financial assistance to female acid attack victims but not the male victims.

The HC division bench presided over by Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain sought response by April 26 on the plea of a Dhuri resident, Malkit Singh, who had lost his eyesight after acid was thrown at him by a truck operator of his village in 2013. Malkit was employed as a driver by him. The court had recently ordered an FIR against the truck operator. His skull and face were also disfigured in the attack as a result of which he lost his capacity to earn livelihood and is now dependent on his family , his lawyer told the court. HTC