Acid Attack Victims' Rights: According to Shaheen Malik, despite having the right to free treatment under the law, the woman was not getting adequate treatment in big private hospitals in Delhi.

Supreme Court orders free treatment for acid attack victims

Supreme Court Acid Attack Victim Free Treatment Order: The Supreme Court on Friday directed Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to provide complete treatment to an acid attack victim. The court stated that her treatment should continue until she is fit to be discharged, regardless of the cost. The victim had alleged that the hospital had directed her to another hospital for further treatment.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant heard the matter urgently. The case was raised by the Brave Souls Foundation, an organization working for the rehabilitation and welfare of acid attack victims. Shaheen Malik, the organization's head, told the court that the woman was attacked with acid on October 6 in Delhi's Bhajanpura area. She suffered 45 percent burns.

According to Shaheen Malik, despite being entitled to free medical treatment under the law, the woman was not receiving adequate care at major private hospitals in Delhi. She alleged that Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Apollo Hospital refused to treat her, citing the lack of burn ward facilities.

The Supreme Court directed the hospital.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, observed that the facts presented in the petition were concerning. The court directed the management of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to keep the victim admitted and provide her with all necessary facilities. The court stated that the victim should be provided with medicines, plastic surgery, and all other necessary treatment, regardless of the cost. The Supreme Court also directed the hospital to submit the treatment bill to the court.

The bench also clarified that the victim should not be discharged from the hospital until she is fit to leave and needs only OPD treatment.

There is a provision for free treatment under the law.

The petition cited Section 397 of the Indian Civil Services (Protection of Children) Code, 2023. This provision requires both government and private hospitals to provide immediate first aid and free treatment to acid attack victims.

Had to visit several hospitals after the attack

The victim's mother told Hindustan Times that her daughter has been moved from one hospital to another since the attack. According to her, with the help of the police control room, her daughter was first taken to Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital. From there, she was transferred to Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital. The mother said that this time has been extremely traumatic for both her and her daughter. She alleged that her daughter would scream in pain, but little attention was paid to her plight.

She said her daughter was discharged from GTB Hospital on Thursday afternoon and taken to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Every hour since has been a struggle for her, as she struggles to get her daughter the treatment she deserves.

Asked to buy medicines from outside

The victim's mother alleged that on Friday night, staff at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital asked the family to purchase medicines from outside. They reportedly told her the hospital didn't have the medicines. When the mother said she didn't have the money to buy them, the family was told to take her daughter to another hospital on Saturday morning.

However, Dr. Praveen Kumar, Additional Director of GTB Hospital, denied any negligence in the treatment. He stated that the hospital provided the patient with the full treatment he needed. According to him, the family wanted to receive treatment at a hospital of their choice, so they discharged the patient.

NGO raises questions on sale of acid

Shaheen Malik said that the victim and her family should not have had to visit multiple hospitals for treatment. He added that despite the ban on acid, its sale continues in the national capital, leading to such incidents. Malik also said that it is extremely unfortunate that an NGO and a team of lawyers had to intervene and approach the Supreme Court to get the victim treatment.