• Rising Reported Cases: According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data published in late 2025, India reported 207 acid attacks and 65 attempts in 2023.
• Abysmal Conviction Rates: In 2023, out of 703 cases pending in courts, there were only 16 convictions compared to 27 acquittals.
• Worst-Affected States: West Bengal consistently reports the highest number of cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. High incidence is often linked to the easy availability of acid in industrial regions.
• Massive Underreporting: While official figures show a few hundred cases, the Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) estimates approximately 1,000 attacks annually due to social stigma and fear of retaliation. 

• West Bengal: Consistently reports the highest number of cases, accounting for approximately 27.5% of national incidents (57 cases in 2023).
• Uttar Pradesh: Ranked second with 31 cases in 2023.
• Other Affected States: Significant numbers are also reported in Gujarat (15 cases), Madhya Pradesh, and the national capital territory of Delhi.

• Constitutional Supremacy: The Constitution of India provides the ultimate legal foundation, enshrining fundamental rights and the Rule of Law.
• Judicial Review: Under Articles 13, 32, and 226, the judiciary possesses the power of Judicial Review to strike down legislative or executive actions that violate constitutional principles or the "Basic Structure" doctrine.
• Statutory Foundation: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita of 2023 – Acid attacks are punishable by a minimum of ten years to life imprisonment and a fine to cover the victim’s medical expenses.
• The law also mandates that all hospitals provide free medical treatment to acid attack survivors, and the sale of acid must be regulated by requiring photo identification for buyers and maintaining records by sellers.
• Public Interest Litigation (PIL): A unique judicial innovation that allows the court to relax locus standi rules, enabling third parties to seek justice for marginalized groups. 

• Massive Case Backlog: As of recent 2025/2026 data, over 47 million cases are pending across various levels of the judiciary, leading to chronic delays where "justice delayed is justice denied".
• Human Resource Deficits: Chronic understaffing persists, with vacancy rates in High Courts often reaching 30% and a judge-to-population ratio of only 10.5–11 per million people (well below the recommended 50).
• Infrastructure and Technology Gaps: Many lower courts lack basic facilities like clean water or digitised records, despite the e-Courts Project aiming to modernize the system.
• Transparency in Appointments: The Collegium System (where judges appoint judges) is frequently criticized for being opaque, leading to allegations of nepotism and a lack of accountability.
• Socio-Economic Barriers: High costs of litigation, complex legal jargon, and geographical distance from higher courts effectively bar the poor and marginalized from accessing justice.
• Over-reliance on Adjournments: Frequent and often frivolous adjournments by lawyers exploit procedural loopholes, further stalling the trial process. 

• Call emergency services immediately.
• Flood the area with water: Flush the burn with large amounts of clean, running water (not dirty or stagnant) for at least 20–60 minutes. If acid is in the eye, rinse it continuously while holding the eyelid open.
• Remove contaminated items: Carefully cut or pull away clothing and jewelry that has touched the acid, ensuring you do not touch the substance yourself.
• Do NOT apply ointments: Avoid putting creams, oils, or toothpaste on the burn, as these can trap heat and complicate medical treatment. 

• Strict Regulation of Acid Sales: Governments must strictly enforce laws requiring photo ID for buyers and a mandatory transaction log for sellers. Models like Bangladesh's, which include sealing illegal shops within 30 days, have drastically reduced attack rates.
• Harsher Penalties and Fast-Track Courts: Under 2026 legal standards like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), acid attacks carry a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment. Establishing fast-track courts is essential to prevent the 10–15 year trial delays often faced by survivors.
• Administrative Accountability: Local authorities (such as Sub-Divisional Magistrates) should be held accountable for failing to monitor unregulated acid sales. 

• Financial Compensation: In India, survivors are legally entitled to a minimum of ₹3 lakh, with ₹1 lakh typically disbursed within 15 days for immediate treatment.
• Free Medical Treatment: By law, all public and private hospitals must provide free emergency care and subsequent reconstructive surgeries to survivors.
• Long-Term Rehabilitation: Support must include lifelong access to psychological counseling, vocational training, and employment assistance to ensure social reintegration.
• Disability Rights: Some jurisdictions now recognize acid attack survivors under disability acts (e.g., RPwD Act, 2016), granting access to government job quotas and educational reservations. 

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