The Supreme Court on Monday requested Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra to represent the acid attack survivor pro bono before the Delhi High Court in her criminal appeal.
During the hearing, the petitioner personally addressed the Court and requested that Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra be appointed to represent her, stating that she could not afford the high legal fees charged by many lawyers.
Taking note of the request, the Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed that Mr Luthra be appointed through the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee as pro bono counsel.
When contacted during the hearing, Mr Luthra agreed to assist the victim. “I will take care, My Lord. I will find out the details from the learned court master and do the needful,” he told the Court. The Bench clarified that Mr Luthra would represent the petitioner as a free legal aid senior counsel in the criminal appeal pending before the Delhi High Court.
The matter was part of a broader public interest litigation concerning acid attack victims, where the Court is monitoring issues relating to trial delays, victim compensation, and rehabilitation measures across states.
The Supreme Court granted one final opportunity to State Governments and Union Territories to comply with the directions issued in its order dated 27 January 2026, particularly those contained in paragraph 5(v) concerning measures for acid attack victims.
The Court noted that several High Courts had already submitted details regarding the pendency of cases relating to acid attack victims, with most High Courts reporting that instructions had been issued to prioritise and expedite such trials. However, the Bench emphasised the need for closer monitoring and directed High Courts to fix timelines for trial courts.
“We will request the High Courts to fix a timeline for the trial courts and let the portfolio or administrative judges monitor that the circulars issued by the High Court are meticulously complied with by the trial courts,” the Court observed.
The Bench further recorded that State Governments had submitted reports regarding the implementation of victim compensation and rehabilitation schemes for acid attack survivors. To assist the Court in examining these reports, it directed the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee to nominate a Senior Advocate from the Legal Aid Panel to compile and collate the information before the next hearing.
Additionally, the Court asked High Courts to file affidavits indicating the time frame within which pending trials are likely to conclude. States and Union Territories were also directed to indicate steps taken for the rehabilitation of acid attack victims through employment opportunities in government or government-controlled sectors.
The Court further observed that if logistical issues arise in providing such employment, the concerned State Governments should consider proposing payment of an honorarium equivalent to subsistence allowance to the victims until suitable rehabilitation measures are implemented.
The matter will be taken up after the concerned authorities and High Courts file their updated status reports on trial timelines and victim support mechanisms.