Four-Year-Old Acid Attack Victim Gets Relief As MP High Court Orders Specialized Care

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed Bombay Hospital, Indore, to immediately admit and provide specialized treatment to a four-year-old girl who suffered severe burn injuries in an acid attack, holding that survivors of such crimes are entitled to the best possible medical care in terms of the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the landmark Laxmi case.

Justice Deepak Khot passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by minor through her natural guardian. The Court was dealing with an interim application seeking urgent transfer of the child to a super-speciality private hospital and other reliefs available to acid attack survivors under the law.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Shannoshagufta Khan submitted that the four-year-old girl was subjected to an acid attack on May 29, 2026, and suffered serious burn injuries. Her mother and six-year-old brother were also injured in the incident. Photographs placed before the Court allegedly showed the extent of the burns suffered by the victims.

The petitioner contended that the family was initially undergoing treatment at the Community Health Centre in Rajpur, Barwani district, but was discharged despite requiring continued medical attention. It was argued that the facility lacked adequate infrastructure and specialized treatment necessary for acid attack survivors. Reliance was placed on the Supreme Court's decisions in Laxmi v. Union of India and Parivartan Kendra v. Union of India, which laid down extensive guidelines on treatment, rehabilitation and compensation for acid attack victims.

During earlier proceedings, the High Court had directed the State authorities to obtain instructions and assess whether the child could receive better treatment at a specialised facility in Indore. A medical report submitted before the Court acknowledged that the victims had suffered serious injuries requiring long-term and specialised treatment. Doctors warned that improper treatment could lead to complications including sepsis, septic shock and other clinical abnormalities.

The hearing also saw concerns being raised about the condition of the burn ward where the victims were being treated. Counsel for the petitioner produced recent photographs allegedly showing poor hygiene, fungal growth on walls and the presence of rats. While refraining from making any conclusive observations on the condition of the government hospital, the Court noted the seriousness of the injuries and the urgent need for specialised medical care.

Referring to the Supreme Court's directions in Laxmi, the High Court reproduced the mandate that no hospital should refuse treatment to an acid attack victim and that both government and private hospitals must ensure comprehensive medical care. The Supreme Court had clarified that free treatment includes medicines, food, bedding and reconstructive surgeries. The Court also reiterated that private hospitals should not decline treatment merely because specialised facilities may not be available at the first point of care.

The petitioner also informed the Court that the victims possessed Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana cards, enabling cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh. The family expressed willingness to undergo treatment at a specialised private hospital in Indore, including Bombay Hospital, Apollo Hospital or CHL Hospital.

Accepting the plea, the Court held that the petitioners were entitled to treatment at a private hospital in light of the Supreme Court's directions. It accordingly ordered, "The Bombay Hospital, Indore is directed to admit the petitioner, forthwith." The Court further directed that the hospital maintain a separate account of treatment expenses and not demand payment from the victim or her family.

The Court clarified that treatment costs should be reimbursed through the Ayushman card and, if expenses exceed the insured amount, the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Indore, must immediately release the required funds, subject to the final outcome of the petition. It also directed the hospital to ensure admission and commencement of proper treatment on the same day.

Additionally, the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Barwani, was directed to take necessary steps for release of compensation and financial assistance in accordance with the Supreme Court's judgment in Laxmi. The matter will now proceed on the remaining reliefs sought in the writ petition after notice is served on the respondents.

Case Title: Minor Through Natural Guardian v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others

Date of Order: June 24, 2026

Bench: Justice Deepak Khot