Thread by @barandbench

[Transwoman's plea against exclusion of transgender persons from National Cadet Corps enrollment] Kerala High Court records the oral statement of the Counsel for the Central Government for appears for the NCC.

He states that the NCC has only units for 'male' and 'female' cadets.

Continues, saying that the transwoman's application for enrollment as a cadet at her University could not be accepted as she was not 'male' or 'female'.

This is not discrimination, but a 'reasonable classification', he says.

Justice Devan Ramachandran, who is hearing the case, directs a written statement to be submitted on behalf of NCC.

At this Advocate Raghul Sudheesh, appearing for the petitioner, informs the Court that the last date for enrollment is on November 15.

The Judge dictates an interim order.
States he cannot accede to Central Govt. Counsel's submission.
Going by the (Kerala) Transgender Policy as also the applicable statutes, a person cannot be denied a legitimate right only because she is a transgender, he continues.

With this, the Judge adjourns the matter.

Matter will be heard after two weeks.

During this period, the NCC Unit at the petitioner's university is directed to keep a seat vacant.

Directs the petitioner's lawyer to submit all of the material he intends to rely on at the next hearing.

Justice Ramachandran: This is the first time I'm handling a case of this nature. I'm interested!