The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed deep shock after an acid attack survivor informed the Court that the criminal trial against those who attacked her remains pending before a trial court in Delhi to date, sixteen years after the case was registered in 2009 [Shaheen Malik v. Union of India and anr.].
The submission was made before a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
"There was an attack on me in the year 2009. But now I work for others. There are others who are made to drink acid and they suffer equally. They are made to eat food by food pipe," the acid attack survivor's counsel told the Court.
CJI Kant then asked whether the trial against the person who attacked the petitioner was still pending.
The petitioner's counsel informed the Bench that the criminal trial is still pending before a Rohini trial court in New Delhi.
Aghast, the CJI said that such a long delay in concluding the trial reflected a shameful state of affairs.
"Please file an application. Tell us why the trial has not been completed since 2009. We will take suo motu cognizance. If the national capital cannot handle such a situation, then who will? This is such a shame!" CJI Kant said.
If the national capital cannot handle such a situation, then who will? This is such a shame! This (the delay in criminal trial) is a mockery of the system.Supreme Court
Solicitor General of India (SG) Tushar Mehta echoed the Court's concern.
"The perpetrator should meet with the same ruthlessness as done here. No agency can oppose this," SG Mehta said.
CJI Kant then urged the SG to see if any steps could be taken from the government's end to benefit acid attack victims.
"Mr. Solicitor General, do something. If there is affirmative action from your end. The definition of "disabled" can include them as well. There can be an ordinance. This (the delay in criminal trial) is a mockery of the system," CJI Kant said.
The Court proceeded to seek details of all pending trials involving acid attack victims across the country. The matter will be heard further next week.
"Issue notice. We direct Registrar General of all High Courts to furnish details of all pending trials in the matters of acid attack victims," the Court's order said.
This is a developing story.
[Live Coverage]