The 'Acid' Undoubtedly A 'Corrosive' Substance Within The Meaning Of S.326 IPC: SC [Read Judgment]

"It needs hardly any emphasis that the act of causing grievous hurt by use of acid, by its very nature, is a gruesome and horrendous one, which, apart from causing severe bodily pain, leaves the scars and untold permanent miseries for the victim," noted Supreme Court while passing judgment in Omanakuttan v. The State of Kerala. With acid attack cases seeing a phenomenal increase in country and victims literally "living under the shadows" for the rest of their lives, Bench of Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Dinesh Maheshwari, while dismissing appeal of the accused appellant observed that "the acid is undoubtedly a corrosive substance within the meaning of Section 326 IPC. Court was hearing appeal from the accused appellant in the case whereby he had called in question the judgment by High Court of Kerala which had, while affirming the judgments passed by subordinate courts, found accused guilty of the offence punishable under Section 326 of the Indian penal Code while continuing with the sentence of simple imprisonment for one year together with fine of RS. Decision Court rejected the contention of victim not suffering severe bodily pain for 20 days and his case not falling under Section 320 of IPC saying such submissions were bereft of substance and do not make out a case for interference.