LAXMI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It was observed in the order dated 18.07.2013 that the States and Union Territories which have not yet framed rules to regulate sale of acid and other corrosive substances in line with the Model Rules framed by the Central Government shall do the same within three months from the receipt of the draft Model Rules from the Central Government. The three or four States have sought response from the public with regard to the proposed rules to regulate sale of acid and other corrosive substances, but the progress made by other States in this regard is not yet known.

(2.) The framing of rules to regulate sale of acid and other corrosive substances is one of the necessary steps for minimising the acid attacks which, of late, is on the rise. It was after series of hearing and orders passed by this Court that finally the Central Government came out with the Model Rules in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territories. The Court hoped, when it passed the order on 18.07.2013, that within three months there-from, all the States and Union Territories shall comply with the directions and put in place the rules to regulate sale of acid and other corrosive substances. It appears that in none of the States and Union Territories such rules are operational. In the circumstances, we direct the Chief Secretaries of the States and the Administrators of the Union Territories to comply with the directions given in the order dated 18.07.2013 and put in place the rules in line with the Model Rules framed by the Central Government to regulate sale of acid and other corrosive substances at the earliest and positively before March 31, 2014.

(3.) In the order dated 18.07.2013, the Court has given certain directions, by way of interim arrangement, with regard to payment of compensation to the acid victims by the States/Union Territories. The Court has to finally take a call on the measures for the proper treatment, after care and rehabilitation of the acid attack, victims and the States' responsibility in making payment of compensation to them.