On December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court declared that criminals who forcibly administer acid, mostly attacking women in abusive homes, deserve stricter punishment than under anti-terror laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Chief Justice of India Surya Kant led the Bench hearing a petition by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik. She sought protection for survivors who were made to ingest acid under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The court asked the Centre to change penal and bail laws to punish these “most ruthless, most heinous” crimes. The court suggested the government create a strong policy to support survivors, who face long medical treatments. It stated that convicted attackers must pay hefty penalties to victims. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said these crimes come from an “animal instinct.” Justice Joymalya Bagchi explained that survivors harmed by acid ingestion may have no visible marks but suffer internal organ damage needing costly care. Justice Kant said such criminals “have no right to roam around in society” and their punishment should beat UAPA penalties. In the December 4 hearing, the court was shocked that Shaheen Malik’s case trial was pending even after 16 years. Malik was attacked at age 26 outside her workplace and had 25 reconstructive surgeries. She founded Brave Souls in 2021, a pan-India movement for medical and legal help to acid attack survivors. On December 11, the court ordered steps to complete her trial by December 31, 2025.