Expanding the Scope of Protection: Acid Ingestion Victims Included Under RPwD Act

In a significant move towards inclusive governance and social justice, the Union government has informed the Supreme Court that it has amended the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. This amendment broadens the definition of 'acid attack victim' to explicitly include individuals who have sustained internal injuries due to the ingestion of acid. Previously, the legal framework primarily focused on external disfigurement, often leaving survivors of internal acid ingestion—who face severe, life-altering health complications—outside the ambit of specific disability-related support and welfare schemes. This policy shift follows persistent judicial intervention, where the Supreme Court had sought a comprehensive framework to ensure that survivors of such heinous acts receive adequate medical protection, rehabilitation, and social support. Acid attacks are not merely physical assaults; they are acts of extreme violence that result in long-term trauma, chronic health issues, and social exclusion. By recognizing internal injuries under the RPwD Act, the government acknowledges the multifaceted nature of the disability caused by such attacks, thereby enabling these survivors to access benefits such as reservation in government jobs, educational support, and specialized healthcare services.