Amended RPwD Act to include persons internally injured by acid ingestion, Centre tells Supreme Court
The Indian government has amended the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act to include victims of internal acid ingestion as 'acid attack victims.' This change, which has retrospective effect, ensures that survivors of internal injuries can now access legal benefits and protections previously reserved only for victims of external acid throwing.
Why it matters
This legal expansion closes a critical gap in disability rights, ensuring that victims of severe, non-external acid violence receive the same state support and recognition as other survivors.
The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) of amending the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPwD) of 2016 to extend the definition of ‘acid attack victim’ to mean persons who have internal injuries caused by the ingestion of acid or any other similar corrosive substances.
Appearing before a three-judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre, said a notification was issued on May 22 by which the Act’s Schedule was amended to define an ‘acid attack victim’ as anyone “disfigured externally or internally due to violent assault, self-infliction, accident by throwing, administering, throwing or spilling of acid or similar corrosive substance”.
The amendment would have a retrospective effect, which would allow victims with internal injuries that occurred prior to May 22, 2026 to also claim benefits under the 2016 Act.
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