Delhi: Scarred, acid attack survivors rue unending wait for justice

NEW DELHI: A day after Delhi High Court said that an acid attack was "among the most grievous crimes in contemporary society", survivors of such assaults demanded that the government ensure fast-track courts heard these cases.
In 2009, a man threw acid on two sisters, Juvehria (26) and Samar (33), after the older of them rejected his marriage proposal. The girls both lost their vision."My sister, an MBA student, went through 22 face surgeries. We had to sell our properties to meet the cost of our treatments," said Juvehria. "And then there is the legal case that we have been fighting for so many years without getting a conviction."

Frustrated by the lengthy litigation, Juvehria wished that all acid attack cases were disposed of within two years to allow the survivors to move on in life. "I don't think I will get any justice in this lifetime. I only hope that acid attack cases are taken up by fast-track courts and others don't suffer like me," she said.
It was again in 2009 that Shaheen Malik, then a 26-year-old, third-year MBA student, was attacked by a man on a motorcycle. She suffered third-degree burns on 90% of her face and body. For over 13 years now, Malik has been fighting a legal battle for justice even while struggling with surgeries and medical treatment to restore her left eye.
"Initially I did not have my family's complete support, but I did not want to give up. So, despite my partial blindness, I have knocked on doors requesting legal aid," said Malik. "While my life has been chaotic with medical visits, the struggle to find a job and fighting the court case, my attacker got married and is living a normal life, perhaps assured he will never be punished. But I will not stop until I get justice."
Now 39, Malik has founded the Brave Souls foundation and runs a shelter home called Apna Ghar for acid attack survivors. Many of the home's inmates are fighting similar battles. "Only recently was the law changed to require acid attack cases to be heard in fast-track courts. This will not only bring relief to the survivors, but will also mete out quick punishment to the perpetrators and act as a deterrent to curb the heinous crime," said Malik.
Until 2013, there were no specific laws under the Indian Penal Code on acid attacks. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, added section 326A and 326B to create special provisions for victims of acid attack.
Besides litigation, employment and psychological rehabilitation are also important for the survivors. But as Reshma Qureshi, another survivor, pointed out, "From going through expensive and painful treatment to financial dependency, there are so many hurdles for a survivor. To ease this, the state government should provide some assistance, including legal, financial and psychological aid. Delhi does not have a pension policy for survivors like in Haryana and Punjab. We urge the state government to implement a similar scheme in Delhi."