Laxmi Agarwal

Laxmi Agarwal
Agarwal in Washington receiving an award, 2014
Born	(1990-06-01) 1 June 1990 (age 35) New Delhi, India
Nationality	Indian
Organization	The Laxmi Foundation
Known for	Stop Acid Sale
Spouse	Alok Dixit
Children	1 (daughter named Pihu)

First Lady Michelle Obama Honors 2014 IWOC Awardee Laxmi of India

Laxmi Agarwal (born 1 June 1990) is an Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host. Laxmi is founder and President of The Laxmi Foundation, an NGO dedicated to acid attack victims. In 2019, she received with the International Women Empowerment Award from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Government of India, and UNICEF for her campaign of Stop Acid Sale. In 2014, she received the International Women of Courage Award. ^[1]

Early life and the attack

Laxmi Agarwal was born on 1 June 1990 in New Delhi.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2005, when Agarwal was 15, she was proposed by a 32-year-old family friend named Naeem Khan. ^{[2] [3] [4]} Ten months later, Agrawal was attacked with acid by Naeem and his associate. ^[3]

Public interest litigation

In 2006, Agarwal filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court of India seeking compensation and a total ban on the sale of acid across the country. ^{[5] [6]}

In July 2013, the Supreme Court responded to pleas, including the dismissal of Agarwal, by issuing guidelines to restrict the sale of acid. ^[7]

The court passed an order stating that acid could not be sold openly or without an ID proof. The court also declared a Rs 3 lakh compensation for future and past victims. ^{[8] [9]}

Personal life

Laxmi Agarwal was in a live-in relationship with social activist Alok Dixit, and the couple has separated in 2015. They have a daughter.^{[ citation needed ]}

In popular culture

She starred in the 2014 short documentary Newborns directed by Megha Ramaswamy as herself. ^[10]

Chhapaak (2020), a Hindi-language drama film inspired by Agarwal's life story. The central character, Malti, is modeled on Agarwal, though the narrative is a dramatised account rather than a direct biopic. Prior to the film's release, Agarwal's lawyer Aparna Bhat filed a case claiming that her contributions in Agarwal's legal battle and activism were not acknowledged. In January 2020, the Delhi High Court directed the filmmakers to give her due credit, after which her name was added to the film's credits. ^{[11] [12]}

References

1. "Michelle Obama honours acid attack victim Laxmi". Firstpost. 5 March 2014.
2. "News18 Hindi claims Chhapaak was 'redubbed' to change acid attacker's name from Hindu to Muslim. They're wrong". Newslaundry. 9 January 2025. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
3. Chaudhuri, Pooja (9 January 2020). "Does 'Chhapaak' portray acid attack convict as a Hindu named 'Rajesh'? No, false claim". Alt News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2025. 'Chhapaak' is Padukone's upcoming film inspired by the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal who was attacked by 32-year-old Naeem Khan in 2005.
4. "Deepika Padukone dedicates first award for Chhapaak to Laxmi Agarwal for showing 'what beauty truly means'". Hindustan Times. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
5. Agarwal, Laxmi (10 January 2020). "Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal: "My attacker thought he would leave me trapped in my house"". Vogue India. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
6. https://cdn.ncw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NCW-Acid-attack_Super_Final_Print_compressed.pdf
7. Singh, Soibam Rocky (13 August 2023). "Survivors in dismay as Delhi High Court refused to ban acid sale". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 1 October 2025.
8. "India Supreme Court orders curb on sales of acid". BBC News. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
9. Singh, Mohit (18 July 2013). "Laxmi vs. Union of India – (2014) 4 SCC 427 – (Acid attack compensation order) - One Law Street" . Retrieved 1 October 2025.
10. "Newborns: A Gaze Within". India Independent Films. 14 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
11. "Gave credit to lawyer in Indian release of 'Chhapaak'". The Times of India. 27 January 2020. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 1 October 2025.
12. IANS (9 January 2020). "'Chhapaak' storm: Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer plans to sue makers of Deepika Padukone film". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 1 October 2025.