SC forms panel to ensure equal job openings, medi care for transgenders

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a dedicated committee, headed by a retired high court judge, to enable and facilitate equal opportunities at work, inclusive medical care and protection for gender non-conforming individuals.

A bench of justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan said the judgment hopes to secure the future of third gender.

The committee will be headed by former Delhi High Court judge Asha Menon and comprise transgender activists Grace Banu and Akai Padmashali; CLPR Bengaluru member Gaurav Mandal; and Sanjay Sharma from Association for Transgender Health in India. Senior advocate Jayna Kothari will be the amicus.


Passing the judgment, the bench asked the committee to look at "equal opportunities, inclusive medical care, protection for gender non-conforming persons". The court delivered the judgment while awarding compensation to a transwoman whose appointment as a teacher was terminated by two private schools in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat because of her gender identity.