Punjab and Haryana High Courts allows Transgender to apply for post in Chandigarh Police

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

On 20.05.2023 Chandigarh Police had advertised for the post of Constable (Executive) vide their website, however when the petitioner tried to fill out the form, she got to know that there is no column for Transgender. Thereafter on 02.06.2023 she submitted a representation to Home Secretary, UT Chandigarh and Director General of Police, UT Chandigarh for allowing her to fill up the form as a Transgender. She did not receive any reply from Chandigarh Police and after several follow ups decided to approach the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court.

She approached the Office of Ms. Raina Godara, Advocate and met her team consisting of Abhimanyu Balyan, Advocate; Neil Roberts, Advocate; and Pooja Pande, Advocate. They decided to take up her case Pro Bono and approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court vide Writ Petition.

That the petitioner is the first the transgender to successfully climb Mount Lobuje (6119 m) on 28 April 2021. That the petitioner then attempted to climb Mount Everest in April-May 2021 and had successfully climbed Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Metre (7800 m) before being forced to suspend the expedition due to extreme weather conditions brought on by Cyclone TAUKAE and YASS in time window given to her.

The case was taken up on 21.06.02023 before the Court of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vikram Aggarwal Chandigarh, Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Vikram Aggarwal examined the matter and observed that the petitioner is well-qualified and is desirous of participating in the selection process for the recruitment of Constable (Executive) in the Chandigarh Police but on account of no category of transgender being available, has not been able to apply.

After the landmark intervention of hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High court, the petitioner Saurav @ Kittu Tank will become the first transgender to apply for the post of Constable with Chandigarh Police. Granting interim relief Justice Vikram Agarwal, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court served notice to Chandigarh police and also directed them that the petitioner may be allowed to apply for the post before the last date, allowing her to mentioning her gender on the form itself.