The Supreme Court on Tuesday pulled up the Central government over rising acid attacks, observing that its guidelines to curb the illegal sale of acid have failed to achieve their object.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was hearing pleas concerning the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors and the regulation of the sale of acid, in the case Shaheen Malik versus Union of India. Bar and Bench and Live Law both reported the hearing.

“Despite your guidelines, unfortunate incidents are taking place. In fact, such incidents are increasing. That means there is something wrong. Your guidelines have not achieved the object for which they were framed. That itself is a reason to revisit them,” the Chief Justice said, according to Bar and Bench.

The Court said guidelines alone would not be sufficient and that enforcement accountability of concerned officers would be key. “You cannot remain happy and satisfied merely because guidelines have been issued and the burden has been passed on to the States,” the Chief Justice said.

Live Law reported that the bench asked Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave to have the Union examine National Crime Records Bureau data on acid attacks over the years, and asked the Centre to show a single circular seeking an explanation from a State over incidents despite the guidelines.

The bench also questioned the need for retail sale of acid when substitutes for household purposes are available, suggesting a controlled system for sale on the lines discussed in court, Live Law reported. Justice Bagchi noted that Bangladesh has a particularly good legislation on the issue, and the ASG said she would obtain instructions on regulated sale.

The Court allowed an intervention by the NGO National Justice and Social Change, which placed a proposed standard operating procedure before it, and directed that the Union and the National Legal Services Authority examine it and invite suggestions from stakeholders, including survivors.

On survivors who suffered forced ingestion of acid and internal injuries, the ASG told the Court that after such survivors were included in the ambit of persons with disability, the disability assessment guidelines were being revisited. The Bar Bulletin reported that counsel flagged delay in finalising those revised guidelines and that the ASG indicated they were in the final stages.