The Uttar Pradesh Police Department is facing a complex situation with two women constables, one from Gorakhpur and the other from Gonda, requesting permission from the headquarters to undergo sex change surgery.
Cops Seek Sex Change Operation
This marks an unprecedented situation for the Uttar Pradesh Police, as they grapple with the dilemma of allowing these constables to change their gender after being initially recruited as female officers.
According to sources, the two constables have applied for permission for gender transition, citing different reasons for their requests. Authorities are concerned about how to reconcile the physical criteria required for male constables if they are considered as such after undergoing surgery.
The source mentioned that the headquarters had already given a similar response in the Allahabad High Court when one of the constables approached the court after facing difficulties in obtaining permission for gender transition, despite pursuing her case since January of this year.
According to another source, the court has asked the headquarters to reevaluate the female constable's request based on its merits and to create guidelines for handling similar cases in the future.
He further explained that the police authorities had sent a letter to the King George's Medical University of Lucknow (KGMU) to conduct a medical examination of both constables through a medical board and provide their professional opinion. He further stated that they are actively seeking input from all parties concerned with women's and gender-related matters, in addition to collecting medical and legal opinions, before reaching a final decision. The court is scheduled to review this case once again in the initial week of December.
Madhya Pradesh's Example
Earlier in August this year, the Madhya Pradesh government had authorized a sex change procedure for a female police constable named Deepika Kothari, from Ratlam district. The decision was made based on an application she submitted last year, it was issued by the state home department.
The official order mentioned that Kothari was diagnosed with 'gender identity disorder,' and her request for a sex change was approved after considering medical reports. Dr. Rajiv Sharma performed the operation.
However, it was specified in the order that following the transition, Kothari would no longer qualify for benefits that are exclusively designated for female employees. This decision was made in consultation with the legal department and in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling on this matter.
In 2021, another female constable named Arti Yadav received similar permission for a sex change procedure, making Deepika Kothari the second female constable in Madhya Pradesh to be granted approval for such a transition.
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