New Delhi:
In a bid to curb acid attacks on women throughout the country, the Supreme Court today ordered that acid should be sold only people above 18 years of age, who have valid identity cards issued by the government. The buyer will also have to declare the purpose for purchasing acid.
The acid seller will have to submit the details of the sales to the local police within three days and undeclared stocks of acid can be confiscated and may impose a fine of up to Rs. 50,000.
The top court has asked states to frame rules within three months to regulate retail sale of acid and other corrosive substances. It also asked the Centre, states and Union Territories to make the acid attack offence non-bailable.
The government was last week slammed by the Supreme Court for not acting on regulating the sale of acid in the country. It had on Tuesday told the top court that it is considering rules that allow people above 18 years of age to buy acid.
During a hearing in April, the Centre had assured the Supreme Court that it will work with the state governments to formulate a plan before the next hearing on July 9. However, it failed to do so, which angered the court.
The Supreme Court had then warned that it will intervene and pass orders if the government failed to frame a policy to curb the sale of acid in order to prevent chemical attacks. "Seriousness is not seen on the part of government in handling the issue," the bench headed by Justice RM Lodha had said.
In February this year, the court had directed the Centre to convene within six weeks a meeting of Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories to hold discussion for enacting a law to regulate the sale of acids and a policy for treatment, compensation and care and rehabilitation of acid attack victims.