[By Tehelka SIT]
Eleven years since the Delhi government introduced the Delhi, Poisons Possession and Sales Rules, 2015 to regulate the possessions and slae of acid, these highly corrosive substances remain shockingly easy to procure across Delhi-NCR. A check in Delhi-NCR by Tehelka showed that acid continues to be sold over the counter-without ID checks, without disclosure of purpose, and without even a label, in clear violation of both state law and a 2013 Supreme Court order.
In 2013, prompted by a spate of gruesome acid attacks, the Supreme Court had imposed a nationwide restriction on the sale of acid like nitric, phosphoric, sulphuric, and hydrochloric. The ruling placed a string of regulations on sellers-vendors are required to seek licenses, maintain registers of buyers, ask for identification, and demand disclosure of intent. The Delhi government followed suit in 2015 by listing 40 corrosive substances under a special law, tightening the grip on acid sales within city limits.
In 2013, the Supreme Court, in Laxmi vs Union of India, laid down strict guidelines to regulate acid sales after a spate of attacks. It prohibited over-the counter sales unless sellers maintain a register with buyers’ name addresses, ID proof, and the stated purpose of purchase. Acid cannot be sold to anyone under 18, and all stock must be declared to the local sub-divisional magistrate within 15 days. Any undeclared stock or violation can invite confiscation of stock and fines up to Rs 50,000.
But an investigation by Tehelka across Delhi-NCR found that all these safeguards were meaningless. Over several days, Tehelka SIT visited several markets of Delhi and Noida and was able to purchase acid from kirana stores. At no point was identification demanded, and no shopkeeper asked what the acid would be used for.
Shani Store, a local shop in Nangli, sector 134 Noida, Uttar Pradesh, sold a bottle of acid for Rs 40 without hesitation. There was no questions asked, no warnings issued. Instead when the reporter asked the shop salesman, Rahul whether he wanted his ID proof etc. ? Rahul was unaware of all the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court for selling acid . When Tehelka asked Rahul, that he sould keep the records of all the buyers purchasing acid from his shop ? In response to this Rahul told Tehelka that his acid is not a dangerous one. And called it “Divya Jal”
From Nangli, Tehelka reporter moved to another area of sector 134 Noida, Wazidpur. There also an acid was easily available at another Kirana store. When asked for one bottle of acid, the salesman, a young boy, gave one bottle of acid bottle to Tehelka’s reporter, costing Rs 30. “ You mean Tezaab” ?, the shopkeeper offered openly. At this shop, the acid bottles of yellow, unbranded liquids were openly put on display.
A similar exchange occurred in Subhash chowk market, East Delhi. Where another shopkeeper, Noor handed over an acid bottle with a smile. He without any fear, put the acid bottle with another floor cleaner on his counter and aske us to choose between the two. By touching the acid bottle he said “ This is not very strong”. The bottle had no label or indication of its contents. Again, no reasons were asked, no IDs sought. When we asked Noor whether he need our ID for the sale of acid ? He said “ I don’t need your Ids, this acid is not very strong”.
In Mayur Vihar Phase 1 , in East Delhi, at a market flanked by DDA flats, a small chemical shop stocked at least 10 unlabbled bottles. Even Greater Kailash in South Delhi is not immune. In the heart of Zamrudpur village, a general store wrapped a bottle in a polythene bag and handed it over for Rs 50. “Everyone in GK buys from us” the shopkeeper said.
Tehelka also found several wholesalers offering acid for home delivery. From 2020 to 2025, Delhi Police and National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB] data show at least 35 acid attack cases were reported in the city. Survivors and activists say these numbers are an undercount. In its July 2023 judgement, the Delhi High Court said a blanket ban would harm “genuine users and business”. The Tehelka ground visits reveal, these checks are patchy and inconsistent at best. At none of the locations, visited by Tehelka was there any visible enforcement. No registers were found, no signs warning against illegal acid sale displayed. Legal experts and activists say that rules are only on paper.
