Acid attack survivor in Assam gets due compensation and medical care after a 7 year long struggle

The petitioner was thrown acid upon allegedly by her husband on 5th November, 2012 at her village in Nagaon District of Assam. She received treatment at Guwahati and had remained admitted in the hospital for over three months at a stretch after the unfortunate incident. An acid attack survivor is entitled to receive a compensation of Rupees Three Lakhs from the State Legal Services Authority under the Assam Victims Compensation Scheme, 2012. She had applied for provision of the compensation on 15th of October, 2012 which is one year, eleven months and five days after the occurrence of the incident. The compensation was denied to her on the ground of delay in application and non-explanation of the delay. She approached the Gauhati High aggrieved by the denial of compensation and also sought for reimbursement of medical expenses already incurred by her and her rehabilitation. The Gauhati High Court directed for payment of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs compensation as part-payment of the entire compensation of Rs. 3 Lakhs. It then directed the constitution of a medical board to assess the further course of treatment required by her but such Board was not constituted and the High Court directed the personal appearance of the Director of Health Services, Assam. The Medical Board was eventually constituted and the further treatment required by the survivor has been decided upon. Such treatment has been directed to be provided to the survivor whose cost would be borne by the State of Assam. Furthermore, it has directed for the payment of the remaining amount of compensation of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs to the Jyotika totaling a compensation amount of Rs. 3 Lakhs. Order was pronounced on 18/01/2019