Seeking to safeguard the rights of the third gender community in India, a PIL has been moved in the Supreme Court, demanding equal protection form sexual harassment and other offenses for transgenders. Advocate Reepak Kansal, the litigant states that the provisions given in the IPC, relating to sexual offenses do not extend protection to the transgender community. Clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) of sub-section 2 of Section 354A(assault or criminal force to a woman with an intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC excludes transgenders who face or might face sexual harassment from male and female predators, as well as other transgenders. 

The litigant moved the PIL praying the Court to amend the existing provisions of IPC and to make them more inclusive so as to include transgender’s, bisexuals, and eunuchs within their definitions. Additionally, the plea alludes to the exclusion of transgenders as violative of Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution. The petition took cognizance of the alarming number of sexual cases happening to the members of the transgender community and hence, sought modification of laws/statutes of IPC relating to sexual assault and other crimes.


- This news report has been reported by Mr. Akshit Gupta