SC Questions Asset Auction for Acid Attack Victims; Seeks Harsher Punishment

• The Supreme Court questioned why assets of acid attack accused cannot be auctioned to compensate victims, emphasizing stronger financial rehabilitation.
• The court noted that the current minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh is insufficient for lifelong treatment and recovery, urging states to improve compensation scheme implementation.
• Chief Justice Surya Kant called for extremely harsh punishment for acid attacks to act as a strong deterrent against such heinous crimes.
• The court heard a petition from Shaheen Malik, an acid attack survivor, highlighting gaps in disability law for victims forced to ingest acid.
• The Supreme Court directed all states and UTs to submit year-wise data on acid attacks and urged the Centre to consider a law shifting the burden of proof to the accused.

Why It Matters: The Supreme Court is pushing for harsher penalties, asset auction for compensation, and better support for acid attack survivors.