Spectrum of vitriolage in India: A retrospective data record-based study

Vitriolage or acid attack or acid throwing is a gender-based terrible violent crime. There are many everlasting sequels of vitriolage which consist of permanent scarring of the face or body, blindness as well as socioeconomic and psychological intricacy. The sufferer of acid attack is competitor, hatred, enmity or jealousy. Vitriolage are most common in the Asian countries especially in south east Asian region followed by Europe and South America. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Colombia and Cambodia are the countries having the highest incidence of acid attacks. There is a sharp rise in vitriolage cases in India in the last few years as indicated by data from the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB). Seventy per cent victims of vitriolage are women in India as indicated by the annual reports of the Acid Survivor Foundation.

The aim of the study was to report incidence of acid attacks in India, Indian states and metropolitan cities. To analyse various police and court procedure and to discuss various steps to give justice to the victim of vitriolage.

Present study is a retrospective data record-based study. Available data for the last 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) were taken from National Crime Report Bureau (NCRB). Available as per NCRB, data were analysed as per aims and objectives.

The trend of incidence of acid attacks in India was decreasing in the last 5 years, that is, the incidence was 244 in the year 2017 which become 176 in the year 2021. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh were the states having the highest number of acid attack incidence during the last 5 years. Delhi city was the top most metropolitan city having the highest acid attack incidence in the last 5 years. Police investigation of cases of acid attacks against women and cases disposed of by the police decreased in the last 5 years. The chargesheeting rate was better in metropolitan cities than overall chargesheeting in India. There was an increased trial of cases of acid attacks against women and a decrease in cases disposed of by the court during the last 5 years. Conviction rate by the court was better in India than the metropolitan cities of India during the last 5 years. Case acquitted by the court in India was 24, 9, 10, 4 and 10, and in metropolitan cities it was 2, 1, 3, 0 and 2 during year 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Vitriolage not only destroys physical health but also destroys mental health. Despite of strict action taken by the Indian government, vitriolage is still prevalent in India. Male dominancy and inadequate legal systems are responsible for this. Though there is a standard set by the Supreme Court for the sale of acid, it remains easily available as the guidelines are frequently violated by the preparator. Case investigation and chargesheeting should increase by the police. Trial of the case and conviction should increase by the court. Vitriolage victims must be sure of their scope to obtain education and job opportunity and societal fiction should be reviewed to support people to acknowledge why vitriolage is committed mainly against females.