While the motive of the recent acid attack on a 20-year-old girl in Delhi University may be shrouded in mystery. It has again highlighted one of the most heinous crimes against women.
The acid attack took place near Lakshmibai College in northwest Delhi, where the victim was going to college. According to police the suspects Jitendra, along with two associates, Ishan and Arman, allegedly attacked her with acid before fleeing the scene. She is reported to have tried to save herself with a bag but sustained burns on both hands.
She knew Jitender who had been allegedly stalking her and a heated argument had taken place between them about a month ago. Jitender is married and has a one-and-a-half-year-old child. The case has taken an interesting twist as Jitender’s wife has alleged that the victim’s father had raped her and sent obscene photos to her husband Jitender. She has filed a police case.
Acid attack is of course one of the most heinous attack on a woman trying to disfigure and maim her. Usually motivated by anger or revenge these attacks take place at close quarters where the attackers are usually on a scooter and flee after throwing the acid.
It is primarily against women with attacker splashing acid on her face making it gruesome for life. One of the most traumatic event in any woman’s life it leaves her psychologically horrified and sometimes blinded and in pain for long. Known as vitriolage, it is most common in the Asian countries especially in south east Asian region followed by Europe and South America.
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Colombia and Cambodia are the countries having the highest incidence of acid attacks and where it is sex-based violence. In India,States like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have highest such cases, according to a report with Delhi being the highest as far as acid throwing in concerned in metropolitan cities.
The National Commission for Women has said that 78% of the acid attack incident is for “refusal to marry, rejection of love or for any personal causes.” Mostly the attack are on women between 11-30 years of age. Acids like sulphuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acid is is sold in provisional and hard ware stores and can be procured by anyone.
As the purpose behind it is to ostracize the woman from society, making it difficult to get employed or married, there is a need for community awareness programmes to make acid attack survivors to lead a normal life. Several community awareness programs are being conducted already by the authorities.A Hindi film also has been made to hTop of Formighlight the issue.
According to a report if nearly 300 acid attacks take place in a year, some say that more than triple that number actually take place. An issue that clearly needs close monitoring of the availability of acids freely in the market.
Though acid can burn the flesh to the bones, it has many other uses at home and in business and industry. Following acid attacks there have been stringent calls for a blanket ban for sale of acids over the counter by activists but the courts have been judicious in adjudicating that stricter enforcement of law is necessary.
They have understood the gravity of the situation and ordered that laws and rules must be followed regarding a hazardous chemical like acid. The sale of acid will be allowed only to be sold by vendors who hold a legitimate license to sell acid. They would ensure that the buyer is above 18 years of age and has documentation regarding his identification. He should be able give a proper purpose for the need to buy acid. The shopkeeper must maintain a register regarding sale involving acid.
The Section 326 A (Voluntary causing Hurt by Dangerous Weapon) criminalizes acid attacks and provides punishment to those who indulge in such activities. The punishment is minimum 10 years and life imprisonment. Clearly the punishment is strict to make people think twice before attacking someone with acids.
However it has not seemed to deter the attackers. The courts also have asked for proper compensation to be given to the victims, who do also need medical and psychological care. Isolation and depression are the two main fallouts on women.