Nine years after Supreme Court order, acid still on sale over the counter

Nine years have passed since the Supreme Courtrsquos directive to regulate and monitor sale of all acid and corrosive substances in a bid to prevent acid attacks mostly on women but the financial capital of the country is yet to implement the guidelines midday visited several shops across the city and found that acid sale was not only rampant but there was no check on buyers in terms of identity or purposeAs per National Crime Records Bureau in 2020 alone seven women were subjected to acid attacks and suffered grave injuries in MaharashtraThe top courtrsquos order of 2013 had instructed state administrations to restrict permission for the sale of acid maintain a record of buyerrsquos identity proof and purpose of use and the police force was tasked with implementing it However when the midday team visited some retail outlets in Dahisar Govandi and Bandra they could easily buy large quantities of acid without any questions at a price of Rs 50 for 400 mlWhen asked if cops ever came to check the sales records the shopkeepers said there has been no inspection It is important to note that due to vague packaging and labelling there was no information on the contents usedmidday correspondent in olive tshirt buys acid from a Dahisar shopWhen contacted Mumbai police spokesperson DCP Sanjay Latkar told midday ldquoPolice stations are supposed to take legal action on any deviation or violationrdquoSpeaking with midday Maharashtra State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar said ldquoAs per the directions issued by the Supreme Court the Maharashtra state is implementing the guidelines to regulate sale of acid corrosive substances We have directed subdivisional magistrate and higher police officials for strict implementation of the guidelines We will review the situation and take appropriate actionrdquoDaulat Bi Khan an acid attack survivor and founder of NGO Saahas Foundation which works for the upliftment of acid attack survivors said ldquoEvery year one or two acid attacks happen in the city This heinous crime destroys lives but none of the acid sellers follow SC directives There is a guideline but due to poor implementation and no followup by the police one can easily buy acid and commit a crime I have raised this issue several times but it is falling on deaf earsrdquoShe demanded effective implementation of the top court order and said ldquoLaw enforcing agencies need to create awareness on dos and donrsquots when it comes to selling of acid Also those not complying with the directive should face stringent punishmentrdquomidday Give me a strong acidShopkeeper This one is strong Be careful while using itM Do you keep a record of the salesS WhyM Do cops come to check recordsS NoRs 50Price of 400 ml acidmidday on the groundPeople buy acid from a shop in GovandiA hardware shop in Govandi March 6midday Do you sell acidShopkeeper Yes how much do you want We have 1litre bottlesmidday Do you want any identity proof from meThe shopkeeper did not replymidday Do police ever come to check the recordShopkeeper NoA shop in Dahisar March 6midday Do you have acidShopkeeper Yes how much do you wantmidday How hazardous is itShopkeeper Take all precautions while using itmidday Do you need any of my detailsShopkeeper NoTop Court guidelines Government should bear the medical expenses of acid attack victims Government should provide a minimum of Rs 3 lakh and up to Rs 8 lakh compensation to the victim Acid attack is a crime under section 326A of the IPC which has provision for minimum imprisonment of 10 years