VITRIOLAGE
Q) Write a short note on Vitriolage?
A) (I) Synonym of Vitriolage – Acid throwing, Vitriol throwing, Acid attack, Vitriol attack.
(II) Definition - Vitriolage or vitriol throwing is a form of violent assault where ‘oil of vitriol’ (concentrated
sulphuric acid) or any other corrosive substance is thrown on the body of a person with the malicious intent
of injuring/disfiguring/maim/ torturing her/him out of jealousy or revenge.
(III) Substances used commonly for vitriolage -
(1) Corrosive used – Most commonly used is usually cone. H2S04. Others used are Nitric acid, carbolic
acid but sometimes an alkali like caustic soda, caustic potash, iodine, a corrosive salt [e.g. corrosive
sublimate or HgCl2]
(2) Irritant juice of a plant [e.g. marking nut, calotropis] may be used.
(IV) Salient features –
(1) Aim - is not to kill but disfigure/injure/maim/torture
(2) Used by- Mainly by jilted lovers on their girlfriends due to rejected marriage proposal or sexual
advances. Also known as crime of passion. But anyone can do it. Some common motivations are -
(i) Personal conflict regarding intimate relationships, and sexual rejection
(ii) Racial motivations.
(iii) Sexual related jealousy and lust.
(iv) Social, political and religious motivations
(v) Gang violence and rivalry
(vi) Attacks against minorities
(vii) Conflicts over land ownership, farm animals, housing and property
(viii) Revenge for refusal of sexual advances, proposals of marriage and demands for
dowry.
(3) Epidemiology –
(i) Gender – majority victims are female.
(V) The medical effects – medical effects of acid attacks are extensive. The severity of the damage
depends on the concentration of the acid and the time before the acid is thoroughly washed off with water
or neutralized with a neutralizing agent. The acid can rapidly eat away skin, the layer of fat beneath the
skin, and in some cases even the underlying bone. Eyelids and lips may be completely destroyed and the
nose and ears severely damaged. Common findings include -
(1) The skull is partly destroyed/deformed and hair lost.
(2) Ear cartilage is usually partly or totally destroyed; deafness may occur.
(3) Eyelids may be burned off or deformed, leaving the eyes extremely dry and prone to blindness. Acid
directly in the eye also damages sight, sometimes causing blindness in both eyes.
(4) The nose can become shrunken and deformed; the nostrils may close off completely due to destroyed
cartilage.
(5) The mouth becomes shrunken and narrow, and it may lose its full range of motion. Sometimes, the
lips may be partly or totally destroyed, exposing the teeth. Eating and speaking can become difficult.
(6) Scars can run down from the chin to neck area, shrinking the chin and extremely limiting range of
motion in the neck.
(7) Inhalation of acid vapors usually creates respiratory problems, exacerbated restricted airway pathways
(the esophagus and nostrils) in acid patients.
(8) In addition to these above-mentioned medical effects, acid attack victims face the possibility of sepsis,
kidney failure, skin depigmentation, and even death.
(VI) Psychological impact – Acid assault survivors face many mental health issues upon recovery. Acid
attack victims suffer from higher levels of anxiety, depression, and severe psychological distress due to
one's concern for their appearance.
(VII) Social impact - many social implications exist for acid survivors, especially women. For example,
(1) Victims are handicapped in some way, rendering them dependent on either their spouse or
family for everyday activities, such as eating and running errands.
(2) Inability to find suitable work, due to impaired vision and physical handicap.
(3) Unemployment negatively impacts their economic viability, causing hardships on the
families/spouses that care for them.
(4) High divorce rates with abandonment by husbands.
(5) Moreover, acid survivors who are single when attacked almost certainly become ostracized
from society, effectively ruining marriage prospects.
(VIII) Treatment
(1) Wash the parts with plenty of water and soap.
(2) Apply thick paste of MgO or carbonate.
(3) Cover raw surface with antibiotic ointment.
(4) For eye burns, the conjunctiva and corneal surfaces are anesthetized with topical anaesthetic drops
(e.g. proparacaine) and irrigated with water for 15 min holding the eyelids open. Repeat irrigation using
0.9% saline, till pH is near 7.0. Eye drops containing antibiotics and steroids are helpful.
(IX) Medicolegal investigation –
(a) Clothes - must be collected and sent for chemical examination
(b) Plain water swabs – from affected areas-sent for chemical examination
(c) Scene of crime - Spilt traces of corrosives may be found - on ground, walls, nearby vehicles etc. If acid
was contained in glass bulb, pieces of broken glass may be found. Chemical examination of fluid on glass
pieces would reveal same corrosive as that found on the body of victim
(d) Identification of perpetrator – is rarely possible, if during the act of throwing acid, few drops sprinkle on
his own body. In one case, the perpetrator was traced by the presence of acid burn marks (a tear-drop
pattern on neck and right forearm) on his own body
(X) MLI —
(1) Injuries caused by vitriolage usually heal with scar formation and thus cause permanent disfiguration,
loss of eyesight, or contracture, which, if near the joint, may restrict the functions of the joint. Thus, if the
victim survives any of such outcomes, the act of vitriolage amounts to the causation of grievous hurt. But
when the area of involvement is extensive, death may occur wherein the offence will amount to homicide
(2) It is punishable under Sec. 326-A IPC (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acids) for 10 years
to life imprisonment and fine paid to the victim, and under Sec 326-B IPC (voluntarily throwing or attempting
to throw acid) with imprisonment for 5-7 years and fine.
(3) Directions of supreme court –
(i) In July 2013, SC banned over-the-counter sale of acid at retail outlets and ordered a
compensation of Rs 3 lakh to be paid by the state governments to each acid attack victim.
(ii) The court issued detailed directions for regulating the sale of acid at retail outlets.
(iii) "Over-the-counter sale of acid is completely prohibited unless the seller maintains a
log/register recording ... the details of the person(s) to whom acid (s) is/are sold, the quantity
sold and shall contain the address of the person to whom it is sold," the court said in an
interim order.
(iv) Directing that no acid would be sold to any person below the age of 18 years, the court said
that the seller would declare all the stock available with him to the sub-divisional magistrate
(SDM) within 15 days from the date of the notification of the rules by the state governments.
(v) Retail outlets having licence to sell acid will maintain a stock register and failing to do so or
possessing unaccounted acid will lead to a fine of Rs 50,000, the court said.
(vi) The SC has asked medical and educational institutions requiring acid in bulk to take
permission of Sub-Divisional Magistrate before making the purchase.
(vii) These institutions will delegate a person accountable for the possession and safe upkeep of
acid and "there shall be compulsory checking of students leaving the laboratories where acid
is used", the court said.
(viii) The judges said their order "shall be translated into vernacular languages and publicised in
local newspapers and television channels".
(ix) According to the rules, no person, not exempted under the provision of the Poison Act would
engage in the sale of or possession of the poison (acid).
(x) They provide for the duration of licence, discretion of licensing authority, termination of
licence, disposal of stocks on termination, revocation or cancellation of license, the person or
firm whom license could be granted etc.
(xi) A licence holder shall not sell any poison to any person, unless the latter is personally known
to him or identified to his satisfaction by way of identity proof.
