‘They find our faces disturbing’: Acid attack survivor’s 16-year quest for justice and a home

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court, while hearing acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik’s petition, asked all High Courts to furnish data about pending trials in acid attack cases. Noting that Malik's case has been stuck in a Delhi court since 2009, the court also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that her trial is completed by December 31. 

Speaking to Newslaundry, Malik said, “Given the Supreme Court's attitude, I see hope for justice after 16 years." But while recalling the last 16 years, she asks, “Even if I get justice after 16 years, will it compensate for the humiliation, social stigma, and hardships I endured?”

It was in 2009, when Malik, who was 26 years old at the time, was attacked with acid outside her workplace by some people from her office, including her boss. She had told the court that she had to undergo 25 reconstructive surgeries as a result of the acid attack. 

In 2021, she founded the Brave Souls Foundation, a non-profit offering medical and legal aid to acid attack survivors. But her work with the nonprofit also comes with numerous challenges.

“No one will rent us a house where we can shelter acid attack survivors because they find our faces disturbing. Our society accepts the accused but looks down upon us,” she told Newslaundry. 

Malik had filed a petition in the apex court seeking formal recognition of acid attack survivors with “specific disabilities” under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, according to The Hindu. As her petition explained, “There are victims who were made to forcibly swallow acid. My scars can be seen on me. But their scars are inside and not visible. They suffer the same as me. They have to repeatedly visit hospitals, some are unable to walk, others have artificial food pipes. There are many of them. They do not get any benefits or disability pension.”

Another acid attack victim that Newlaundry spoke to was 40-year-old Haseena, a resident of Jharkhand, who, along with her 13-year-old daughter, were attacked by her brother-in-law while they were sleeping, leaving her with 40% burns and her daughter with 70% burns. 

Monica, a resident of Haryana, was attacked with acid by her own father in August 2025, leaving her with 60% burns. She is still undergoing treatment.

According to recent National Crime Records Bureau data, between 2017 and 2023, a total of 1,479 acid attack cases were registered. NCRB data also underscores delays in the judicial process. Of the 735 acid attack cases slated for trial, 649 were pending from previous years, while only 86 new cases were taken up for trial in 2023, according to a report in The Tribune.

Advocate Sija Nair, who has appeared in courts on behalf of acid attack survivors, attributes the continued rise in acid attacks to the inaction and insensitivity of the courts despite strict laws.

Speaking to Newslaundry, she said, “Whenever a woman is attacked with acid, society abandons her. In many cases, even the family fails to support her. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the government and the system to stand with the victim. However, instead of receiving support from the police, government, and courts, the victim is met with insensitivity and a lackadaisical attitude. This, in turn, emboldens the perpetrators.”

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