BJP slams government for illegal acid sale

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta on Friday criticised the AAP government for its inaction with regard to regulation of sale of acid and enactment of law to replace 1919 Poison Act. He alleged that the government’s lethargy has led to growth in crimes related to acid attacks in the city. Only on Thursday a youth was made to drink an acid like liquid in Sangam Vihar. The Supreme court had directed the state governments in 2013 to impose a ban on the sale of acid and had directed them to enact a new law to ensure effective compliance.

Mr. Gupta claimed that Delhi continues to enforce sale of acid through the defunct Poison Act 1919 and the Supreme court direction to enforce a new law has not been followed. “The court had directed to ensure that licenses are issued to select a few retail shopkeepers having proper arrangements. They were also required to maintain a register of sale and inform the police of sale every third day. The buyer was required to deposit his identity card. But these directions are not being followed. The SDMs which were empowered to fine upto Rs 50,000 have hardly taken any action,” added Mr Gupta.