SC seeks government response on transgender ID card validity concerns

The Supreme Court has sought the government's response on concerns regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act. Senior advocates raised issues that the new law might strip existing benefits from transgender individuals.

The court questioned how previously issued transgender identity cards could be rendered invalid retroactively. Advocates also reported that hormone treatment is being denied due to fear of prosecution under the amended law, and alleged discontinuation of the national portal for transgenders.

The bench is examining whether the new amendment creates barriers to healthcare and other protections that were available to the community earlier.