‘Worse than murder’: Why are acid attacks still common in India after 2013 ban?
- The Delhi Commission for Women has found that acid remains freely available despite the Supreme Court’s 2013 ban on over-the-counter sales
- Activists have attributed the continued sale of acid to poor enforcement of laws and a lack of public awareness
A whole litre of acid, which could maim and disfigure someone in an acid attack, remains widely available and affordable across almost every grocery store in the Indian capital of New Delhi even after India’s Supreme Court banned over-the-counter acid sales in 2013.
For less than one Indian rupee (US$0.012), shoppers in Delhi can buy a litre of acid with no questions asked.
After India banned over-the-counter sales of acid to the public in 2013 to prevent attacks, only those with a licence could buy the substance. But through surprise visits, the Delhi Commission for Women has found that acid remains freely sold as ever.
“Acid continues to be freely sold in the capital. It is unfortunate that the districts are not checking the unregulated sale of acid properly,” Swati Maliwal, head of the commission, told The Times of India.
There are 250-300 acid attacks in India every year but the actual figure is likely higher as some incidents go unreported. India’s Supreme Court has called acid attacks “worse than murder” because of the minimal likelihood of victims getting their lives back on track after such devastating harm.