Supreme Court Seeks Status of All Pending Acid Attack Trials, Calls 16-Year Delay a ‘National Shame

By A Staff Reporter

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all high courts across the country to furnish details of pending trials related to acid attack cases within four weeks, expressing sharp concern over what it described as unacceptable judicial delays. The directive came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik, whose own case has remained pending for an astonishing 16 years.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Union government and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, seeking their response to the issues raised in the petition. The court noted that acid attack survivors not only endure severe physical and psychological trauma but also face prolonged legal battles that compound their suffering.

Highlighting Malik’s case, which has been awaiting conclusion since 2009 before a Rohini court in the national capital, the bench termed the delay a “national shame.” The judges observed that such prolonged pendency defeats the very purpose of justice, especially in cases involving grievous offences and vulnerable victims.