The Kerala High Court has directed the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) to pay ₹5 lakh as interim compensation to a woman who survived a 2016 acid attack, citing her urgent need for medical treatment and ongoing suffering. The order was passed by Justice C. Pratheep Kumar in response to a petition by the survivor, who had suffered severe burn injuries to her face and lost vision in her left eye. The petitioner told the Court that she had already spent substantial amounts on treatment and could no longer afford additional medical costs.
At an earlier stage, KeLSA had awarded her ₹3 lakh. However, due to continuing disfigurement and the need for further reconstructive procedures, she sought additional funds — initially requesting ₹15 lakh. The petitioner submitted medical certificates dated June 2023 indicating that roughly ₹4 lakh would be needed for upcoming treatment sessions. She also provided photographs showing her persistent facial disfigurement and noted that her altered appearance made it difficult for her to find work, with others — including children — reacting with fear when they saw her.
The Court referred to the compensation benchmarks under the Kerala Victim Compensation Scheme, 2017: compensation for facial disfigurement or severe bodily harm is typically in the range of ₹7–8 lakh, and for disfigurement exceeding 40%, the minimum payable is ₹3 lakh. Given her continued suffering over nine years post the attack, persistent disability and disfigurement, and evidence that medical treatment was still required, the Court deemed it appropriate to grant an additional interim compensation of ₹5 lakh. The Court directed KeLSA to disburse this amount in addition to the Rs. 3 lakh already paid. In case KeLSA lacked sufficient funds, it was ordered to approach the State Government for necessary budgetary support.
Further, the Court instructed that the criminal trial related to the acid attack — which presumably remains pending — be completed within nine months from the date of its order. With these directions, the Court disposed of the petition, providing interim relief to the survivor while ensuring that prosecution and rehabilitation proceed in a time-bound manner.
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