Who can file a Complaint?

Home / Legal Explainers / Crimes & Violence / Violence & Abuse / Acid Attack / Who can file a Complaint?

[Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on physical violence which some readers may find disturbing.]

The complaint can be filed by:

The survivor of the acid attack
A relative, friend or acquaintance
Any person who has witnessed the crime
Any person who knows such an attack is going to happen

The first point of contact for anyone who wants to complain about the crime is the police. It is not necessary that you must have all the information about the crime in order to file an FIR (First Information Report). But it is important that you report everything you know to the police. You can find out more about how to file an FIR here.

An FIR in itself is not a criminal case filed against someone. It is just information received by the police relating to the commission of a crime. A criminal case begins when the charge sheet is filed by the police before the court and a Public Prosecutor is appointed by the State.

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

How is the sale of acid regulated in India?

The sale of acid in India is governed by two levels of regulatory mechanisms, that is, State level rules and Supreme Court rules.

What is Acid Attack?

An acid attack is the crime of hurting a person by throwing acid on them, administering acid to that person or doing anything with acid with the intention or knowledge that it would harm the person.

What are the offences and punishments under this law?

The crimes relating to acid attacks have been specified under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Anyone can be punished for the crimes given below regardless of their gender.

What are the rights a person has under this law?

Survivors of acid attacks have the right to seek medical treatment, right to file a complaint and right to compensation.

What are the complaint forums/helplines?

If you are a survivor of acid attack, you can approach the police, NCW, Sub-divisional Magistrate or any of the National Helplines mentioned herein.

Who does the law protect?

The law on acid attack protects all persons, regardless of their gender. Further, there are no specifications in the law in terms of the age of the survivor.