The Supreme Court has directed all state governments and Union Territories to frame rules for regulating sale of acid by March 31, next year.

A bench headed by Justice R M Lodha said that every time there is a case of an acid attack, a parallel inquiry should be conducted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate to find out from where the acid was procured.

The apex court also sought response for them to provide free treatment to acid victims including the cost of plastic surgery. The court asked the Chief Secretaries of all states and administrators of Union Territories to give their response by April 15 2014.

Earlier, in July, the Supreme Court had passed an interim order on regulating the sale of acid at retail outlets in market across the country. It had directed state governments to pay 3 lakh rupees compensation to all acid attack victims. The court had also ruled that the medical treatment and rehabilitation costs of the acid attack victims will be borne by the state governments.