New Delhi: The Government of India on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court that it has amended the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, to extend the benefits of the law to acid attack victims who suffer internal injuries due to forced ingestion of acid.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, that a notification regarding the amendment was issued on May 22. The revised provisions now cover victims who suffer internal acid injuries under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor. Besides other reliefs, the petition sought directions to the government to amend the law to include victims who were forcibly made to consume acid or suffered internal injuries without any external disfigurement.
The PIL sought to classify such victims as persons with disabilities to ensure they are eligible for welfare schemes.
The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Union Government to formally notify the required amendment.
The Solicitor General submitted that the amendment to the 2016 Act clarifies that the term "acid attack victims" includes those who suffer internal injuries even without external disfigurement.
"The Union of India has issued a notification dated May 22, 2026, through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, amending the Schedule to the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016," he said.
The bench observed that the amendment is clarificatory in nature and would be deemed to have been in force from the date the Act came into effect.
"Since the aforesaid amendment is clarificatory in nature, it shall be deemed to have been in existence with effect from the date on which the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, came into force. The necessary consequences shall follow," the bench said.
On May 4, the Supreme Court had flagged the "alarming increase" in acid attack cases and suggested that the government consider enhancing the punishment for such offences.
The bench noted that the number of acid attack cases had risen significantly since 2013 and described the issue as one requiring urgent attention.
It suggested that the government consider stricter punishment for such offences, including shifting the burden of proof to the accused to establish innocence.
The bench also recommended attaching the assets of those convicted in such heinous crimes to provide compensation to victims.
Additionally, it stressed the need for stricter regulation of acid sales across the country.
The apex court also directed all High Courts to fix timelines for trial courts to ensure the expeditious disposal of acid attack cases.
