Acid attack: SC suggests filing contempt case against hospitals

The Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested to an NGO to file a contempt case, alleging that hospitals and other authorities were not complying with court directions on providing free treatment to acid attack victims.

“Why don’t you file a contempt case,” a Bench, comprising MY Eqbal and C Nagappan, said on being informed that private hospitals were not providing free treatment to acid attack victims and “washing their hands of” without even providing first aid.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Bihar- based NGO Parivartan Kendra which has sought the court’s direction on the rehabilitation of acid attack victims, alleged that private hospitals were not providing free treatment to the victims. “Both private and government hospitals have to give free treatment,” the counsel said, adding that the private ones were violating the order.

He added most of the states have fixed the amount of Rs 3 lakh as maximum compensation to the victim.

The government’s counsel said the Centre has brought in changes in the IPC and the CrPC to facilitate these victims, including a compensation amount of Rs 3 lakh and extension of jail term for the accused to life imprisonment.