The Punjab and Haryana high court was informed on Thursday that the chief minister had approved the draft policy for free medical treatment/compensation for acid attack victims and the same would be approved in the next meeting by the council of ministers.
The development took place during the resumed hearing of a public interest litigation filed by advocate HC Arora that came up for hearing before the division bench, comprising acting chief justice Jasbir Singh and justice Rakesh Kumar Jain.
On the last date of hearing the high court had said to the Punjab government, "Acid attack victims are not beggars; if you cannot frame the policy for their free medical treatment, we may have to exercise our powers to frame such a policy."
Also, on another application moved by advocate Arora, the high court issued notice of motion to the Punjab government and Chandigarh administration for framing suitable policy for regulating and restricting the sale of concentrated hydrocholoric and sulphuric acids in the market.
Arora had suggested that the unauthorised possession of concentrated hydrocholoric and sulphuric acids and their sale to any person without establishing their identity might be treated as offence under the Explosives Act, and it might be made punishable.
{{/usCountry}}Arora had suggested that the unauthorised possession of concentrated hydrocholoric and sulphuric acids and their sale to any person without establishing their identity might be treated as offence under the Explosives Act, and it might be made punishable.
{{/usCountry}}The case will come up for hearing on July 9.