Acid attack survivors entitled to free legal aid: Ravindra Hegde
Bengaluru: Acid attack survivors are entitled to free legal assistance and compensation to help them lead a dignified life in society, said Ravindra Hegde, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on the rights and compensation of acid attack survivors and the responsibilities of various government departments during acid attack cases. The workshop was organised at the City Civil and Sessions Court auditorium through the joint initiative of the Bengaluru Urban and Rural district administrations, Zilla Panchayats, District Legal Services Authorities, the Department of Women and Child Development and other stakeholder departments.
Hegde said acid attacks have severe consequences not only on the physical health of survivors but also on their mental well-being, social lives and future. He stressed the need for concerned departments to work in coordination to ensure that survivors receive appropriate medical treatment, legal assistance and compensation.
He assured that the District Legal Services Authority would extend the necessary support to ensure that survivors do not face any obstacles in accessing justice. Acid attack survivors can approach the District Legal Services Authority for legal advice, assistance in understanding court procedures and guidance on applying for compensation available under the prescribed rules, he said.
He further emphasised that workshops of this kind play an important role in creating awareness among survivors about their legal rights and ensuring access to justice. The programme was attended by Ganapathi Prashanth M, Member Secretary of the Bengaluru Urban District Legal Services Authority; Shreeshaila Bhimasena Bagade, Member Secretary of the Bengaluru Rural District Legal Services Authority; Sumangala Malapur, Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development; officials from various departments and acid attack survivors.