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Witness History: Surviving an acid attack and changing the law

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Surviving an acid attack and changing the law

13/10/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Surviving an acid attack and changing the law

In 2013, acid attack survivors in India celebrated a landmark Supreme Court ruling

In 2013, acid attack survivors in India celebrated a landmark court ruling. The campaign for tougher laws was led by Laxmi Agarwal, who was scarred with acid at the age of 15.

In 2013, India's Supreme Court made a landmark ruling aimed at transforming the lives of acid attack survivors.

It followed a campaign led by Laxmi Agarwal, who at the age of 15 was burned by acid thrown over her body. 

The attack changed Laxmi’s life and scarred her face. In 2006, she took legal action demanding a ban on the sale of acid and more help for survivors. 

But it took seven years of campaigning before the court made a ruling, as Laxmi tells Jane Wilkinson.

(Photo: Laxmi Agarwal. Credit: Deepak Gupta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

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