Amended RPwD Act to include persons internally injured by acid ingestion, Centre tells Supreme Court

The Central government informed the Supreme Court that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, has been amended to include individuals who have suffered internal injuries due to the ingestion of acid. Previously, the legislation specifically recognized only those victims who suffered from external acid attacks, excluding those subjected to forced internal consumption.

According to the submission made to the court, the new amendment is intended to have a retrospective effect, ensuring that past victims of internal acid injuries can now qualify for disability status and associated government support. This decision follows legal discussions regarding the narrow scope of the original 2016 definitions which failed to account for various forms of chemical violence.

Legal experts suggest that this expansion will provide critical access to healthcare, reservation benefits, and rehabilitation services for a previously overlooked category of survivors. The Supreme Court has been monitoring the implementation of the RPwD Act to ensure comprehensive coverage for all categories of permanent disability resulting from violence and accidents. Source: News Agency Reports