SC issues notice on PIL seeking Railway quota, concessions for acid attack victims

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a separate earmarked reservation quota and concessional Railway fare for acid attack victims (AAVs), who are currently excluded from existing benefits available to Persons with Disabilities.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant issued notice to the Ministry of Railways, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on the writ petition filed by Atijeevan Society under Article 32 of the Constitution.

The petition, filed through advocate Anandh Venkataramani, contended that despite being recognised as persons with specified disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, acid attack victims are excluded from concessional fare benefits under the Railways’ Coaching Tariff No. 26 and from the earmarked quota for Persons with Disabilities.