Day 1 Arguments – Interim Relief

June 12th 2020

Request for Stay Declined

In a brief hearing today, the Supreme Court heard a petition by Grace Banu and other transgender rights activists, challenging provisions of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (‘2019 Act’) as unconstitutional. In a brief video conference hearing, the Bench comprising Sharad Bobde, AS Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy agreed to issue notice to the Union.

However, it declined to issue a stay on the Act. Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari argued that the Bench should halt the operation of the Act in the interim period, while the Court hears the case. The Bench declined to do so, but noted that it could issue a stay at any point in time, if deemed necessary.