Acid attack? Life, or 14 years minimum.

Myth or fact?

What people often think.

• Myth: Throwing acid is just ordinary hurt. A small case.
• Fact: Hurt by a corrosive substance has its own section: life, or at least 14 years, and a fine of at least Rs. 1 million (PPC s.336-B).

The law.

Section 336-B, PPC.

“Whoever causes hurt by corrosive substance shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description which shall not be less than fourteen years and a minimum fine of one million rupees.”

Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 336-B, Punishment for hurt by corrosive substance

Not only acid.

The Explanation to section 336-A.

• CorrosiveAny substance that may destroy, hurt, deface or dismember an organ.
• It includesAcid, poison, explosives, heating substances, arsenic, any corroding chemical.

Trying is enough.

Section 336-A, PPC.

• CausesHurt by means of a corrosive substance.
• Or attemptsAn attempt to cause it is covered too.
• The mindWith intention, or knowingly.

Quick quiz. The court.

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

• A. An ordinary court only
• B. The Anti-Terrorism Court
• C. A family court

Answer: B. PLD 2016 Lah. 89.

Lahore High Court.

• The scheduleAcid hurt is listed in the Third Schedule to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.
• The holdingThe ATC tries it. No link to terrorism needs to be shown.
• The resultTransfer to an ordinary court was set aside.

No terror shown?

2024 SCMR 2024, Supreme Court.

• The factsA dispute between the accused and the victim, no public fear proved.
• The resultThe ATA conviction was set aside. The s.336-B conviction stayed.

The victim can name him.

2022 SCMR 1102, Supreme Court.

• IdentificationThe victim pointed him out in the witness box. No parade was needed.
• MotiveNot a part of the crime. It need not be proved.

Act fast.

Three steps, in this order.

• HospitalGet treated and ask for the medico-legal report.
• FIRReport at once. A prompt FIR leaves no time to concoct (2020 PCrLJ 1672).
• EvidenceKeep the clothes and the container for chemical testing.

Someone threatened you?

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

• Someone threatened to throw acid on my sister. Which law applies and what should we do?
• What is the punishment for an acid attack under section 336-B PPC?

Example questions

Sources

• Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 336-B
  Punishment for hurt by corrosive substance Pakistan Code