In the case of Laxmi v. Union of India, the Supreme Court of India addressed the issue of acid attacks and the insufficiency of legal mechanisms to prevent such crimes and provide justice to the victims. Supreme Court, in this decision, acknowledged the severity and disturbing impact of acid attacks on victims, particularly women, and recognized the urgent need for stronger legal actions to restraint such violence. The Court directed the Union and state governments to regulate the sale of acid, restrict its availability, and impose stringent penalties on culprits of acid attacks. The Court has also emphasized the importance of providing adequate compensation, medical treatment, and rehabilitation to acid attack survivors. The judgment highlighted the duty of the state to protect the rights and dignity of individuals and to take practical measures to prevent gender-based violence.
The ruling in Laxmi v. Union of India marked a significant milestone in the legal framework for addressing acid attacks in India, affirming judiciary’s commitment to tackle gender-based violence and ensuring justice for survivors.
| Citation | AIR 2015 Supreme Court 3662, 2016 (3) SCC 669 |
| Name of the Court which decided the case | Supreme Court |
| Bench | Uday Umesh Lalit, Madan B. Lokur |
| Legislations | Indian Penal Code |