The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided to investigate why acid attack survivors are not getting full victim compensation of ₹3 lakh or free critical care from private hospitals. A bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna said it will examine the delays despite repeated court orders. Since 2006, the court has ordered states to pay at least ₹3 lakh to survivors, with ₹1 lakh within 15 days and the rest within two months. It banned over-the-counter acid sales and made private hospitals criminally liable if they refuse free treatment, which includes medicines, bed, food, and care. In 2015, district legal services authorities were directed to handle compensation claims. On March 20 this year, the court gave survivors the right to approach State or district legal services for compensation and asked these bodies to keep detailed records. They must also ensure private hospitals do not refuse victims. The NGO Acid Survivors Saahas Foundation told the court that in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, victims often get only the initial ₹1 lakh. No money is provided for reconstructive surgery. Private hospitals reportedly refuse treatment without full payment, which the NGO lawyers said was very painful. The court issued a notice adding the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to the case. NALSA reported that about ₹484 crore was paid as compensation between March 2024 and April 2025 and will provide a written update. The court ordered that states’ chief secretaries be informed to direct timely disbursement of funds to legal services authorities. Health secretaries must ensure private hospitals admit victims free of cost. The case will be heard again on February 3, 2026.