Kerala ​HC orders release of Rs 21,000 surgery aid to transgender person within two months

The Kerala High Court has directed the state’s Directorate of Social Justice to release Rs 21,000 in pending financial assistance to a transgender person who underwent sex reassignment surgery, within two months.

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan on October 8,  issued the direction while disposing of a writ petition filed by Srihaan V Chandran, 27, challenging the authorities’ failure to disburse the full financial assistance prescribed for post-operative treatment and aftercare.

The petitioner had approached the court seeking the release of the unpaid amount of Rs 21,000 under the government’s financial assistance scheme. According to the petition, Srihaan received only Rs 15,000 out of the total assistance of Rs 36,000.

The government, however, informed the court that steps were being taken to release the amount and that the authorities were awaiting the necessary sanction.

Recording the submission, the court observed that a time-bound direction could be issued to ensure the payment.

The court subsequently directed the second respondent, the Director of the Directorate of Social Justice, to release the eligible amount to Chandran “as expeditiously as possible”, and in any case within two months of receiving a certified copy of the judgment.

The petitioner had sought a declaration that he was entitled to the entire Rs 36,000 in financial assistance, along with 18% annual interest. He had also sought a direction to the state government to release the outstanding Rs 21,000 with interest.

However the court did not expressly grant the relief seeking interest at 18% per annum.