New Delhi, 15 June (HS): The Supreme Court on Monday stayed further proceedings in various high courts on petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana agreed to examine the Centre's plea seeking transfer and consolidation of all pending petitions challenging the Act before the apex court.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that multiple high courts were hearing challenges to the legislation and there was a possibility of divergent rulings on the validity of a central law.

Taking note of the submission, the bench issued notice on the transfer petitions and directed that further proceedings before the high courts shall remain stayed.

The Centre has sought transfer of petitions pending in different high courts to the Supreme Court for a consolidated hearing.

Earlier, the apex court had sought responses from the Centre and other parties on separate petitions challenging the validity of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026.

The legislation was passed by Parliament in March this year and subsequently received Presidential assent.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar