HC directs State to amend CrPC

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 30: Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the Government to make amendment in Criminal Procedure Code of State by inserting Section 357A as has been inserted in the Central Code of Criminal Procedure Code and also implement the Apex Court directions on acid attack victims.
The Division Bench of High Court comprising Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey in a PIL which was filed last year after an acid attack on a law student by unknown car borne  persons, directed for insertion of section 357A in Criminal Procedure Code to make it more stringent.
“The State of Jammu and Kashmir shall also take steps for making amendments in J&K Code of Criminal Procedure by inserting provisions like Section 357A of the Central Code of Criminal Procedure in the State Code of Criminal Procedure”, court directed
Court also directed the Government to implement the directions passed by the Supreme Court in case Laxmi V/S Union of India (an acid attack victim) and take steps for implementing the said directions and issue necessary orders preferably within eight weeks time from today.
Court passed these directions while closing the PIL to the extent of payment of amount on the treatment on the acid attack victim. Petitioner counsel stated before the court that the State Government has not fully complied with the directions of Supreme Court. He said that State Government has not made amendment in CrPC on the lines of Central CrPC with regard to insertion of Section 357A as the same Section has been inserted in Central CrPc in the year 2009.
“The State Government is duty bound in view of the mandate contained in Article 141 of the Constitution of India to implement the directions of Supreme Court and in view of Article 144 of the Constitution, all the authorities Civil and Judicial have to act in aid of the Supreme Court”, court order reads.
Court has also been apprised about the details of payment of amount incurred on the treatment of the victim of acid attack and petitioner counsel submitted that victim requires further treatment. The counsel appearing for Government said that the treatment which would now be required can be provided to the acid victim at SKIMS, Srinagar as the facilities are available there.