A SOCIO LEGAL STATUS OF ACID ATTACK VIS- A -VIS A GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN INDIA

Author – Priyanshu Kumar, Student at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi NCR Campus & Maanyata Mishra, Lloyd Law College, Delhi-NCR

Best Citation – Priyanshu Kumar & Maanyata Mishra, A SOCIO LEGAL STATUS OF ACID ATTACK VIS- A -VIS A GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN INDIA, Indian Journal of Legal Review (IJLR), 3 (1) of 2023, Pg. 531-536, ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

India has become a serious victim of the heinous crime of acid attack, especially on women in the past decade. A brutal crime committed with the intention of killing, disfiguring or maiming the victim is an acid attack. An acid attack poses a serious threat to an individual’s dignity and existence. Fundamental rights for Indian citizens are guaranteed by the Indian constitution. It gives its citizens the right to be free, live free, express themselves freely, and move freely. It also gives them the right to speak out against discrimination based on gender, race, sex, caste, or religion. However, the heinous act of acid attack is a form of violence and discrimination based on gender, particularly against women. Acid attacks are defined as “any act of throwing acid or using acid in any form on the victim with the intention of or with knowledge that such person is likely to cause permanent or partial damage, deformity or disfigurement to any part of such person’s body” . According to the National commission of India, the perpetrator’s motivation to commit such a heinous crime is rejection of marriage proposal, rejection of love, property disputes and gender discrimination. Acid attacks on young women are increasing day by day. The stricter regulation of acid attacks imposed by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2013 and the guidelines of the Supreme court of India, the total number of acid attacks in 2014 increased by 300%.  This paper deals with the heinous crime of acid attack and gender-based violence against women in India.

Keywords: Acid Attack, Violence, Gender-Based Violence