The Delhi High Court has emphasized the State’s responsibility to uphold the rights of transgender individuals as enshrined in the Constitution, stating that ensuring their safety and rights is paramount. This directive came as the court addressed a case where a transgender person, Rajan Singh, sought security to file their nomination for the Lok Sabha elections after facing a threatening incident.
Rajan Singh, aiming to stand for nomination from South Delhi Parliamentary Constituency with the support of the Rashtriya Bahujan Congress Party, reported a life-threatening attack at their office in Badarpur. In response, they requested adequate security measures to protect their fundamental rights.
Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta underscored the constitutional guarantee of equality, particularly in electoral processes, emphasizing that any discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity violates this principle. The court’s order on April 29 emphasized the State’s obligation to safeguard the rights of transgender individuals as per the Constitution.
The court directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) to provide necessary security to Rajan Singh for the nomination process. The concerned Station House Officer was instructed to share their contact details with Rajan Singh for coordination.
The State’s counsel assured the court of providing security assistance if needed during the nomination process. Additionally, they promised to address Rajan Singh’s complaint within two weeks and communicate the outcome accordingly, although the initial inquiry did not substantiate the alleged incident.
The lawyer representing the Election Commission informed the court that the nomination process had begun on April 29, allowing Rajan Singh to proceed with their application following legal procedures.
(With PTI inputs)
