JUDGMENT

1. Pursuant to our orders dated April 16, 2013 and July 9, 2013, an affidavit has been filed by the Union of India through Mr. S. Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. In the affidavit it is stated that after the order was passed by this Court on April 16, 2013 a meeting was convened on April 18, 2013 by the Union Home Secretary with the representatives from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Chemicals and Department of Legislative Affairs. In the meeting, inter alia, the options for regulation of retail sale of acid were discussed and it was felt that due to the recurrence of acid attacks, regulation of retail sale was necessary. It was further felt that anew set of Rules under the Poisons Act, 1919 be drafted by Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemical as well as the Department of Legislative Affairs to ensure that major acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid etc. are sold in retail of strength that it would not cause damage to humans.

2. The meeting of April 18, 2013 was followed by another meeting on