New Delhi, 08 April (H.S.):

The Delhi High Court issued notices to the Central Government on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of amendments to the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act. A bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya scheduled the next hearing for July 22.

Filed by advocate Dr. Chandresh Jain, the plea argues the amendments violate fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 21 by replacing self-declared gender identity with mandatory government verification and certification. It contends gender identity integral to dignity, autonomy, and privacy cannot be subjected to medical or administrative scrutiny, contravening the Supreme Court's National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India ruling recognizing self-perceived identity as a constitutional right.

The petition highlights that this shift denies transgender persons welfare benefits and legal protections, breaching equality, free expression, personal liberty, and international human rights standards.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar