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NCW draft bill on acid attacks

Special Correspondent

Provides for stringent punishment to criminals

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has prepared a draft Prevention of Offences (by Acids) Bill, 2008 to provide stringent punishment to those indulging in acid attacks and compensation to the victims.

NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said acid attacks could be termed an act of gender-based violence that could lead to permanent disfigurement, debilitation and eventual death. The treatment was costly and very often the victim was left to fend for herself since at present there was no statutory provision for compensation.

The draft Bill envisaged the establishing of a board that would decide on financial and other reliefs.

After prima facie satisfaction that a case of acid attack had been made out, the board would be empowered to order an interim financial relief of up to Rs.5 lakh within 30 days from the date of receipt of application and the payment would be sent directly to the hospital where the victim was being treated.

Any further sum approved by the board and the monitoring authority from time to time should be used for the treatment of the victim, subject to a maximum of Rs. 30 lakh.

If the victim died, the board could order a compensation of Rs.2 lakh to the legal heirs, preferably her children. This would be in addition to any expense incurred on treatment of the victim.

The board could also announce measures for rehabilitation, legal aid or any other special needs of the victim for which a sum of up to Rs.5 lakh could be given.

Ms. Vyas said the relief provided would not be subject to convictions or acquittals or whether the identity of the persons committing the crime was known or otherwise.

The draft Bill also recommended imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years extending up to life and a fine of Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh to the guilty.

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