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Feb 09- 2026

Supreme Court Directs States and Union Territories to Release Pending Compensation to Acid Attack Victims by March 10, 2026

ACID SURVIVORS SAAHAS FOUNDATION (NGO) V. UNION OF INDIA

Introduction

In a significant reaffirmation of victim’s rights and state accountability, the Supreme Court of India has directed all States and Union Territories to release pending compensation amounts to acid attack survivors whose claims have already been approved. The Court made it clear that administrative delays and lack of fund disbursal cannot be permitted to render judicial directions meaningless.

The order was passed while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation (NGO) seeking strict enforcement of earlier guidelines on compensation, medical care, and rehabilitation of acid attack victims.

Background of the Case

The PIL highlighted a persistent and systemic failure on the part of State and Union Territory governments to disburse compensation amounts even after approvals were granted by District or State Legal Services Authorities. As a result, acid attack survivors despite favourable orders continued to be denied financial relief.

The petition relied heavily on the landmark judgment in Laxmi v. Union of India, wherein the Supreme Court had laid down comprehensive directions for compensation and rehabilitation of acid attack victims.

Key Directions in Laxmi v. Union of India

In Laxmi, the Supreme Court had mandated that:

  • Acid attack victims must receive minimum compensation of ₹3,00,000 under the Victim Compensation Schemes.
  • Survivors are entitled to free and comprehensive medical treatment, including treatment in both public and private hospitals.
  • States must regulate the sale of acid and corrosive substances to prevent such attacks.
  • District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) are responsible for ensuring timely disbursal of compensation.

These directions were intended to provide not merely symbolic relief, but meaningful rehabilitation and dignity to survivors.

Observations and Submissions Before the Court

The present bench, comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, was informed that despite approvals, compensation orders were remaining ineffective due to non-release of funds by governments.

Appearing for the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Advocate Rashmi Nandakumar submitted that:

  • While consolidated funds are released to State Legal Services Authorities at the beginning of the financial year, these funds get exhausted within months.
  • Subsequent approved applications are sent to State governments for individual disbursal, but the funds are often not released.
  • As a result, survivors are left waiting indefinitely despite clear entitlements.

Justice Nagarathna sharply remarked that approving applications without making funds available serves no practical purpose, underlining the futility of such bureaucratic formalism.

Supreme Court’s Directions

Taking serious note of the issue, the Supreme Court issued the following directions:

  1. Immediate Disbursal of Funds:

All States and Union Territories must disburse funds to the respective State Legal Services Authorities for onward payment to acid attack victims.

  1. Deadline for Payment:

Wherever compensation has already been approved and communicated by the Legal Services Authorities, the outstanding amounts must be released to victims on or before 10 March 2026.

  1. Mandatory Affidavit by Governments:

The Secretary of the Social Welfare Department of each State and Union Territory must file an affidavit detailing:

    • Amounts already disbursed, and
    • Amounts proposed to be disbursed during the financial year 2025–26.
  2. Role of NALSA:

NALSA was directed to issue instructions to State, District, and Taluka Legal Services Authorities to ensure:

    • Easy receipt of applications from acid attack victims, and
    • Expeditious processing without unnecessary procedural hurdles.

Concern Over Procedural Barriers

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner pointed out that survivors were often asked to obtain court orders or produce FIRs before their compensation applications were processed practices that discourage victims and delay relief.

While NALSA stated it was unaware of such instances, it assured the Court that any specific complaints would be personally examined. The Court, in turn, requested NALSA to sensitize authorities and ensure that such deterrent practices are not followed.

Significance of the Judgment

This order reinforces several critical principles:

  • Victim-centric justice: Compensation is not charity but a legal right of acid attack survivors.
  • State accountability: Financial constraints or administrative lapses cannot defeat judicial mandates.
  • Effective implementation: Court directions must translate into real-world relief, not remain confined to paper.

Justice Nagarathna aptly observed that the effectiveness of the Court’s orders ultimately depends on the cooperation of State governments and expressed hope that the present directions would finally provide tangible relief to survivors.

Final Thoughts

The Supreme Court’s intervention in Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation v. Union of India marks a crucial step toward ensuring dignity, rehabilitation, and justice for acid attack victims. By fixing a clear deadline and placing direct responsibility on State and Union Territory governments, the Court has sought to close the gap between legal entitlements and lived realities.

If implemented in letter and spirit, this order has the potential to significantly strengthen the victim compensation framework in India and reaffirm the constitutional commitment to human dignity and access to justice.