Bareilly— Nearly three decades after an acid attack destroyed her face and dreams, a 43-year-old woman has finally received ₹5 lakh as compensation from the government. However, the NGO representing her case says it will move the high court to demand ₹50 lakh, citing decades of neglect and trauma.
The incident dates back to 1997, when the attacker, Pappu — a resident of the same locality under Sadar Bazar police station — threw acid on the woman’s face after her family called off their proposed marriage. He was arrested within days and jailed on November 11 that year.
According to Shaheen Malik, founder of Brave Souls Foundation and herself an acid attack survivor, the victim’s face was “completely disfigured” in the assault. “Her father, a tailor, spent over ₹10 lakh on her surgeries. He later relied on donations before he passed away. Her mother too is no more, and the survivor now lives alone,” told Malik.
After years of appeals, the Uttar Pradesh government recently sanctioned ₹4 lakh in aid, while the Centre had earlier released ₹1 lakh. Malik said her foundation will challenge the compensation amount, calling it “grossly inadequate.”
“Twenty-eight years of suffering, and she gets only ₹5 lakh. We will approach the high court to seek ₹50 lakh,” Malik asserted.
The survivor continues to receive medical treatment to manage post-burn complications and prevent potential cancer in affected tissues. “My face and my life were ruined in one moment. My parents are gone, and my brothers have abandoned me. I only want to live with dignity,” she said.
District probation officer Gaurav Mishra confirmed that the financial aid was provided under the Rani Laxmibai Mahila and Bal Kalyan Yojana. “She received ₹4 lakh this financial year and ₹1 lakh last year,” he said.
Attempts to reach the district magistrate for comments were unsuccessful.
