Acid Attack Cases Continue to Rise, 57 Cases in West Bengal Highest in India: NCRB

Of the total 735 acid attack cases in trial across the country, the report noted that 649 were pending trial from the previous year while 86 were sent to trial in 2023.

The Wire Staff

Of the total 735 acid attack cases in trial across the country, the report noted that 649 were pending trial from the previous year while 86 were sent to trial in 2023.

acid attack cases continue to rise 57 cases in west bengal highest in india ncrb

Photo: NCRB

New Delhi: West Bengal has recorded the highest number of acid attacks in the country according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)’s Crime in India report 2023.

While the total number of acid attack cases according to the report was 207, West Bengal accounted for 27.5% of such cases by recording 57 acid attacks in the state in 2023.

The report also shows that the number of acid attack cases in the country have recorded an increase, rising from 176 in 2021 to 202 in 2022 to 207 cases in 2023.

West Bengal was followed by Uttar Pradesh, which recorded 31 acid attack cases in 2023, followed by Gujarat (15), Rajasthan and Odisha with 11 cases each, and Kerala, Haryana and Assam with 10 cases each.

Among the Union Territories, only Delhi reported acid attack cases with 7 such incidents.

Of the total 735 acid attack cases in trial across the country, the report noted that 649 were pending trial from the previous year while 86 were sent to trial in 2023.

The continued high number of acid attack cases in West Bengal remains a concern as the state has recorded the highest such cases since 2018, the Hindu reported.

In 2022, India had recorded 202 cases of acid attacks, with West Bengal accounting for 48 instances of acid attacks and 52 survivors.

In 2006, the Supreme Court laid down guidelines following the Laxmi minor vs. Union of India, under which over-the-counter sale of acid was prohibited unless the seller maintains a log/register recording the sale of acid which will contain the details of the person(s) to whom acid(s) is/are sold and the quantity sold.

Following the Supreme Court order, the Union government in April 2015 issued an advisory to states to expedite cases of acid attacks on women and also provided punitive measures to deal with non-compliance in registering cases and non-treatment of victims.

This article went live on October third, two thousand twenty five, at thirty-six minutes past twelve at noon.

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