New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- The Supreme Court on Monday called for stricter controls on the retail sale of acid and asked the Centre to examine measures to prevent its easy availability, while stressing the need for stronger rehabilitation and awareness mechanisms for acid attack survivors.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said, "Let the Union consider formulating a scheme to ensure strict regulation of the retail sale of acid in the market."

The directions followed submissions by senior advocate Saurabh Kirpal, who told the bench that a volunteer-led survey had revealed that acid remained readily available for purchase despite the safeguards prescribed by the Supreme Court in 2013.

Kirpa...