In a significant ruling the Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday increased the compensation awarded to an acid attack victim from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 15 lakh and directed the state government to cover his future medical expenses.
The court observed that the amount originally granted under the state’s victim compensation scheme was wholly insufficient in light of the grievous injuries, multiple surgeries and lasting trauma endured by the victim.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay and Justice Pradeep Kumar Srivastava passed the order while hearing an appeal by Ranchi resident Rahul Kumar, who had challenged a 2019 decision declining to enhance the compensation.
The incident occurred in 2012 when Rahul, then studying at home, intervened in a quarrel involving his 10-year-old cousin and a neighbour’s child.
According to the case records, a woman from the neighbourhood allegedly reacted angrily and hurled acid at him after he objected to her abusive behaviour.
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The assault caused extensive facial disfigurement and serious injuries to his eyelids, ears, neck, chest and left hand. Rahul has undergone 14 reconstructive surgeries, suffered substantial loss of vision and has been left with 45 per cent permanent disability. His medical treatment has already exceeded Rs 25 lakh, with further procedures still required.
The court also excused a delay of 1,374 days in filing the appeal, observing that an acid attack survivor’s priority is recovery and coping with daily challenges rather than pursuing litigation.
Describing the impact of such crimes, the Bench remarked that acid attacks scar not only the body but also the victim’s spirit. It further questioned the gender-based distinction in Jharkhand’s 2016 Victim Compensation Scheme, saying compensation should not vary between male and female survivors.
The court directed the state government to amend the policy accordingly and ordered payment of the additional Rs 12 lakh within eight weeks, besides reimbursing future treatment costs on submission of relevant documents.
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