MP Female Constable Permitted To Undergo Sex Change Surgery

The Madhya Pradesh government has granted permission to a woman police officer, Deepika Kothari, to undergo a sex change operation.

A senior official confirmed the statement on Tuesday, adding that the order was issued by the state home department on Monday after the female constable submitted an application last year.

MP Female Cop Allowed Sex Change Surgery

The order stated that Deepika Kothari, posted in Ratlam district, had been diagnosed with a "gender identity disorder" since childhood and was hence allowed to undergo a sex change procedure on the basis of medical reports. The surgery was performed by Dr. Rajiv Sharma.

The order also noted that currently, there are no clear rules in India for allowing government employees to undergo sex change procedures.

However, the order also stated that after the sex-change surgery and post-transition, Kothari will no longer be eligible to avail of the benefits meant exclusively for women employees. The decision was announced after consulting with the legal department and considering a Supreme Court ruling on the issue.

It’s noteworthy that a woman constable, Arti Yadav, was granted similar permission to undergo a sex change procedure in 2021. Yadav, a female constable from Niwari District, submitted an application with the Madhya Pradesh government in 2019, which was approved in 2021. This makes Deepika Kothari the second woman in Madhya Pradesh to be granted such approval.

At the time of approving Yadav’s application, the officials noted that according to the rules, Indian citizens have the right to choose their sex without considering their religion or caste. Based on this premise, the state home department permitted the police headquarters to allow the female constable to change her sex as desired.

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