Calcutta High Court Directs State Govt To Permit Transgenders To Appear For Recruitment Examination Of Kolkata Police

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday provided relief to a transgender applicant who had filed a petition alleging that the online application form that is required to be submitted for recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector and Sergeant in the Kolkata Police for the year 2021 does not provide for a column permitting a transgender person to apply.

Justice Arindam Mukherjee vide order dated September 6 had sought the State government's response in this matter.

On Wednesday, it was pointed out to the Court that the State government on September 14 had decided to permit transgender persons to appear in the examination for recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector in the Kolkata police.

"With the apt intervention on the part of the advocate representing the State, the Government of West Bengal has taken a decision to allow the transgender person to appear in the examination for recruitment to the post of Sub-Inspector/Lady Sub-Inspector (unarmed branch). The decision so taken by the State Government on 14th September, 2021 was duly communicated to the advocate representing the State", the Court recorded in its order"

Furthermore, the Court took on record a copy of such a decision dated September 14 signed by the Additional Secretary to the Government of West Bengal and the communication to the advocate representing the State.  

Applauding the prompt action taken by the State government, the Court remarked, 

"The intervention on behalf of the advocate representing the State and the prompt decision taken in the matter by the State is appreciated."

Accordingly, the petition was disposed of by observing that the core issue raised by the petitioner had been duly redressed.

"The individual grievance, if any, of the petitioner for allowing age relaxation to permit the petitioner to apply as a transgender and other issues may be ventilated by the petitioner by filing appropriate representation to the concerned authority", the Court concluded.

Advocates Joveria Sabbah and Mobina Ali represented the petitioner. 

Case Title: Pallabi Chakraborty v. State of West Bengal & Ors

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