Delhi only UT to report acid attack cases, says NCRB data

Acid attacks in India, which are often deliberate and intended to maim or disfigure, continue to be a serious concern, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

The report shows 207 cases in 2023, up from 202 in 2022 and 176 in 2021. Historically, India has seen 244 cases in 2017, 228 in 2018, 240 in 2019 and 182 in 2020, indicating a slight decline post-2019, but numbers remain alarmingly high.

Among states, West Bengal recorded the highest number of acid attacks with 57 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 31 cases. Gujarat reported 15 cases, Odisha and Rajasthan 11 cases each, followed by Kerala, Haryana and Assam reporting 10 cases each.

Among Union Territories, Delhi was the only UT to report acid attack cases, with seven incidents in 2023.

The NCRB data also highlights delay in the judicial process. Of the 735 acid attack cases where (women were victims) slated for trial, 649 were pending from previous years, while 86 new cases were sent to trial in 2023.

Experts note that acid attacks are deliberate acts of violence, often driven by personal vendettas, jealousy or revenge, and have devastating consequences on survivors’ physical and mental well-being. They stress the importance of strict enforcement of the Acid Attack Prevention Act, 2013, along with improved medical care, rehabilitation and legal support for survivors.