The Supreme Court has agreed to review a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) requesting a separate reservation quota and concessional Railway fare for acid attack victims (AAVs). These victims are currently not included in the benefits provided to Persons with Disabilities. The PIL, filed by Atijeevan Society, highlights that despite being recognized under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, acid attack victims are excluded from concessional fare benefits and earmarked quotas on Indian Railways.
The petition emphasizes the challenges faced by acid attack victims, including lifelong physical and facial disfigurements that often lead to severe disabilities. It mentions the necessity for specialized medical treatments available in limited tertiary institutions in metropolitan cities. Due to the high cost of air-conditioned train tickets, which are essential for their travel post-surgeries, acid attack victims find frequent travel unaffordable.
The exclusion of acid attack victims from concessional fare facilities is deemed arbitrary and a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, as per the PIL. The petition argues that this exclusion denies acid attack victims their rightful quota, making the policy discriminatory and unreasonable. The petitioner, Pragya Prasun, founder of Atijeevan Foundation, also cites Section 41(2) of the RPwD Act, which mandates the government to facilitate affordable mobility for Persons with Disabilities through concessions.
The denial of concessional fare and reservation quota is said to impact the right to live with dignity, an essential aspect of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The PIL asserts that the current situation infringes on the fundamental rights of acid attack victims, calling for necessary actions to rectify this issue and ensure their inclusion in the benefits provided to Persons with Disabilities.
