Delhi HC dismisses plea to regularise acid sale

New Delhi, Jan 21: The Delhi High Court Wednesday dismissed a PIL seeking directions to the central and Delhi governments to regularise the sale of acid and form a concrete policy to rehabilitate the acid attack victims. A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw refused to entertain the plea, saying the Supreme Court was already seized of the matter. The court also took in note of the submissions of Delhi government standing counsel Zubeda Begum that the government has already made a policy for rehabilitation of acid attack victims. The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by NGO Chhanv Foundation, working for the wellbeing of acid attacks survivors. It said the government has failed to implement the Supreme Court's July 18, 2013, order on illegal sale of acid in the capital. Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal appearing for the NGO told the court that the Supreme Court had issued various directions to the government to curb the acid attack menace. However, despite the directions, the national capital has noticed several acid attacks recently. The bench said as the apex court has been monitoring the case and passing directions, this court cannot entertain the plea.