NAVYA Makes Significant Mark in Supreme Court Proceedings; Survivor-Centric Policy Framework Placed Before Union Government

New Delhi, In a significant development for the rights and rehabilitation of acid attack survivors, the Supreme Court of India, through its order dated 27 October 2026 in Shaheen Malik v. Union of India, permitted NAVYA – Centre for Justice and Social Change to participate in the ongoing proceedings as an intervener and assist the Court in matters concerning the protection, rehabilitation and welfare of acid attack survivors.

The Supreme Court has taken on record NAVYA's Comprehensive Survivor-Centric Policy Framework, developed by its Founder, Dr. Navpreet Kaur, drawing upon more than 14 years of research, field experience and sustained engagement with acid attack survivors and their families.
In an important step towards strengthening the national response to acid violence, the Supreme Court facilitated the examination of NAVYA's policy framework at the national level. The framework was placed before the Union Government for consideration towards the formulation of a possible pan-India policy and was also directed to be shared with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for its inputs and suggestions.

NAVYA's intervention provides an opportunity to bring practical, field-based experiences and policy recommendations directly into the ongoing judicial proceedings. The organisation's framework seeks to address critical gaps in the existing response to acid violence through a comprehensive approach covering prevention, immediate medical intervention, access to justice, compensation, psychological care, long-term rehabilitation, education, livelihood opportunities and social reintegration.

The framework places particular emphasis on ensuring that rehabilitation does not remain confined to immediate medical treatment or monetary compensation, but extends to the survivor's long-term recovery, independence, dignity and meaningful participation in society.

An important component of NAVYA's policy framework concerns stricter regulation of the sale, purchase and use of acid and other corrosive substances. The framework proposes a ban on over-the-counter sales, recommending that access to such substances be restricted to legitimate and authorised purposes, subject to stringent regulatory controls.

The Supreme Court proceedings have also addressed broader concerns regarding the continued availability of acid in the open market, implementation of existing safeguards, adequacy of rehabilitation measures and accountability of authorities. The Union Government has been asked to place its position on the issue of acid sales and measures for effective implementation before the Court.

Dr. Navpreet Kaur, Founder of NAVYA, is an advocate, legal researcher, academic and social activist with more than 14 years of experience in research and advocacy concerning acid attacks and survivor rehabilitation. Her doctoral research focused on acid violence, and her subsequent academic and field-based work has examined the legal, medical, psychological, social and economic challenges faced by survivors.Her work has consistently emphasised the need to move beyond fragmented relief measures towards a coordinated institutional response that places survivors at the centre of policy, governance and implementation.

For NAVYA, the development represents an important institutional milestone. It marks a transition from sustained research and advocacy towards contributing directly to judicial deliberations and national-level policy development. The organisation aims to work towards a coordinated, accountable and survivor-centred institutional framework in which every survivor has access to timely medical care, effective legal assistance, adequate compensation, sustained rehabilitation and opportunities to rebuild life with dignity.