‘Photo ID Compulsory To Buy Acid On E-commerce Sites’: Consumer Protection Authority – News18

In 2013, the Supreme Court of India banned the over-the-counter sale of acids to the common people. Despite the strict instructions, people were still able to access them through local shops, as many didn’t adhere to the new guidelines. Acids are considered dangerous in society as there have been innumerable acid attack cases where people have thrown acid on the faces of girls and caused them immense harm. There are many women who have become victims of acid attacks. Now, there have been measures taken by the government to control the sale of acids.

According to reports, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken a big step to stop the sale of acid on the market. They have changed the rules for online acid sales. As per the new rules, people under 18 years of age will not be able to buy acid from e-commerce websites. The authority has also made photo ID mandatory for purchasing acid.

CCPA said that until now, people have been buying acid without giving any reason and without showing proper identification proof. This was a clear violation of the instructions of the Supreme Court and the Home Ministry.

CCPA chief commissioner Nidhi Khare has revealed that their main purpose is to stop the illegal purchase and sale of acid. They also issued an order to all the e-commerce websites and apps that it would be compulsory for people to show their photo IDs if they wanted to buy acid. It has been clarified in the government order that since photo ID is mandatory, no person below 18 years of age will be able to buy acid. Apart from that, companies will also have to know the reason why the person wants to buy the acid.

Nidhi Khare added that in recent times, many cases of illegal sales of acid have come to the attention of the CCPA. The authority says that it is very worrying that such a dangerous substance can be available to anyone so easily.