KATHMANDU: In view of increasing instances of acid attacks, the government has decided to go for tougher legal provisions including up to 20 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1 million to the assailant.
Invoking the Clause 1 of Article 114 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, the government is planning to recommend an ordinance with such strict provisions to the President.
While talking to the acid victims, Prime Minister KP Oli had promised to arrange for strict measures against the criminals involved in acid attacks. The Thursday’s cabinet meeting approved the ordinance and decided to recommend it to the President.
The ordinance states that the acid attackers have to pay Rs 1 million in penalty and serve 20 years in prison provided the victims’ eyes, ears, mouth, chest and reproductive organs get damaged in the attack.
According to the new provision, if the eye or an ear is burnt or damaged totally, or if the face is burnt or distorted badly or one of the breasts is damaged or both hands or legs are damaged, the tormentor shall face the penalty of 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 700 thousand to 1 million.
Similarly, provided any organ is distorted or damaged in the attack, the attacker has to face 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment along with Rs 100 to 500 thousand in penalty.
Likewise, if the victim dies instantly or later due to various factors related to the attack, the assailant has to be penalized on a par with the murderer.
PM Oli had met with the delegations involving the human right activists and the acid victims on September 10 and promised to introduce more strict provisions against the acid attackers.
Comment