SC verdict on acid attack case and protection of s...

Summary

• By Syeda Shehar Bano   The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered an important judgment on acid violence, highlighting the severe and long-lasting consequences of acid attacks on victims.
• The Court described acid attacks as an exceptionally serious form of violence and emphasized that the harm caused to survivors can continue throughout their lives.The judgment is significant because it addresses not only the criminal responsibility of the offender but also the wider legal and social issues surrounding acid violence, including victim rehabilitation, regulation of acid sales, speedy trials, and the enforcement of laws.
• It demonstrates that courts may consider the long-term consequences of an offence when determining its seriousness.The judgment also emphasized that criminal punishment alone may not be sufficient to address the consequences of acid violence.

AI Generated Summary

By Syeda Shehar Bano 

 The Supreme Court of Pakistan has delivered an important judgment on acid violence, highlighting the severe and long-lasting consequences of acid attacks on victims. In a landmark decision announced in June 2026, the Court upheld the life imprisonment of Abdul Manan, who was convicted of throwing acid on a young woman in Faisalabad. The Court described acid attacks as an exceptionally serious form of violence and emphasized that the harm caused to survivors can continue throughout their lives.The judgment is significant because it addresses not only the criminal responsibility of the offender but also the wider legal and social issues surrounding acid violence, including victim rehabilitation, regulation of acid sales, speedy trials, and the enforcement of laws.

Background of the Case: The case arose from an acid attack that took place in Faisalabad in September 2019. Abdul Manan was convicted for throwing acid on a young woman, causing permanent injuries and disfigurement. The trial court awarded him life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 1 million. The Lahore High Court later upheld the conviction and sentence in November 2022.The accused subsequently approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan and challenged the decision of the Lahore High Court. His appeal was heard by a three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the appeal and upheld the life sentence.