Redefining Rights for Acid Attack Survivors by iProbono India

New Delhi, January 2025: In a groundbreaking judgment, the Delhi High Court has introduced the Avlamban Fund Scheme 2024, a ₹10 crore initiative to support acid attack survivors. This significant development is the result of the advocacy, legal expertise, and holistic intervention of iProbono India and our panel advocate Sowjhanya Shankaran, in the case of Sayli*, a 16-year-old acid attack survivor whose story has inspired systemic reform.

In 2022, Sayli’s life took a tragic turn when she was sexually assaulted and forced to ingest an acidic substance. The incident left her with severe internal injuries, requiring multiple surgeries and lifelong medical care. Despite her extraordinary resilience, Sayli faced a lack of legal and psychosocial support, with no access to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) or sufficient victim compensation.

The trajectory of her case changed when the Delhi High Court appointed Sowjhanya Shankaran, an iProbono India panel lawyer, as amicus curiae. Recognising the complexity of Sayli’s situation, Sowjhanya referred her to iProbono India for comprehensive support.

A Holistic Approach to Justice

iProbono India’s intervention went beyond legal representation, accompanying Sayli to hospitals and addressing her extensive medical and nutritional needs. With Sowjhanya leading the arguments, supported by iProbono panel lawyer Kartikeye Dang and our legal team, we successfully proved that Sayli’s injuries were caused by acid ingestion despite the absence of external burn injuries. We also ensured the award of an additional ₹4 lakh in compensation to Sayli.

Landmark Judgment: Justice for Acid Attack Survivors

This advocacy led to Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri creating the ‘Avlamban Fund Scheme 2024’ – a 10 crore fund to support acid attack survivors in Delhi. The scheme clearly defines what constitutes “acid” and “acid attack,”, and expanded the scope of financial support to include aftercare, diet, and rehabilitation-related expenses such as education and vocational training, not just medical expenses and surgeries.

In addition, the scheme now provides support to all survivors of acid attacks, addressing a critical gap in the existing Aasra Scheme which was limited to burn victims, and thus only acid attack survivors with external injuries. This scheme ensures comprehensive financial and rehabilitative support to acid attack survivors in Delhi, marking a monumental shift in survivor rights and welfare.

A Testament to Resilience and Systemic Change

Sayli’s courage has been a beacon of inspiration, as she continues her healing journey with iProbono India’s support. The organisation has facilitated her education through the National Institute of Open Learning (NIOS) and state-sponsored vocational training, empowering her to rebuild her life.

*Name is changed to protect identity.

About iProbono India

iProbono India is a social justice organisation that combines the legal expertise of its community of lawyers, ground-level insights of its grassroots partners, and the ethos of social action litigation to advance justice and equality in India.

It works on child rights, disability justice, housing and land rights, criminal justice and strengthening civil society. Its modes of intervention include legal representation, comprehensive care, research & policy advocacy, capacity enhancement efforts and storytelling.

For media inquiries, please contact:

• Deeksha Gujral, Program Director, iProbono India: deeksha.gujral@i-probono.com; 9810866206
• Richa Oberoi, Communications and Advocacy Manager, iProbono: richa.oberoi@i-probono.com; 9958326410