Why is acid still freely available in city shops?

Bangalore: Though the Supreme Court on Tuesday gave another four months for the states to frame rules to regulate acid sale, it can still be easily purchased in some parts of the city.

However, there has been an increase in awareness among the traders and public about the issue.

In order to curb acid attacks on women, the Supreme Court in July had made it mandatory for retailers to have a licence to sell acid, check the photo identification of the customer and keep a record of their name and address.

The rules also ban sale of acid to anyone under the age of 18. The implementation has been slow in some parts of the city, but there is progress.

Several traders on BVK Iyengar Road have started taking only bulk orders and that too after verifying the photo identification and address proof of customers.

“For the past four months, we have been asking for identification proof from buyers. We have heard about the new rules on acid sales,” said Navneet Kaushal, a trader in BVK Iyengar Road.

However, two chemical dealers in Chamrajpet said they don’t maintain a register of customers buying acid. As per the Supreme Court mandate, the penalty for such an offence is a fine up to Rs 50,000.

Sulphuric acid is used mainly by goldsmiths and traders who sell metal vessels, as it can remove oxides from metals. It is also used in batteries and making fertilizer.

Suniel Mehta, a chemical dealer in Chamrajpet, said the acid, which is used as cleaning agent in homes, and available in general stores, was harmless.

However, anti-acid attack campaigners want control over the sale of all types of acid. A few traders on Ebrahim Street and J C Road confirmed that the “required quantity can be procured without hassle, if you know the right people.”