A 26-year-old Ph.D woman student fell in love with a transman working in a multinational company and wanted to marry him. When she left home, her parents lodged a woman missing complaint.
Police entered the scene and traced the couple to a mall and detained them for interrogation at the Tiruvottiyur station.
After a few tense hours and some interventions, including by the City Police Commissioner, the police told her parents that she was a major and she had every right to choose her life partner.
The Ph.D student, Sumita* had known Shankar* since childhood. Shankar was a woman, but after undergoing surgical and hormonal transition, she became a full-fledged man.
Shankar worked as an engineer.
“The two were picked up from a mall in Velachery and Sumita was sent to a vigilance home,” said advocate Sudha Ramalingam, who was informed of the police action by a common friend.
Commissioner’s help
She immediately called up Chennai Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan and explained the issue. “He understood the gravity of the situation and contacted Washermanpet deputy commissioner Sashank Sai, who asked the personnel at the Tiruvottiyur station to let the woman decide,” Ms. Ramalingam explained.
When the parents and brother raised a hue and cry at the police station, the police officers patiently explained to them that the girl was a major and she had the right to choose her life partner.
The police let Sumita to take the decision and she chose to go home with Shankar.
“Nearly 90% of the police personnel have been sensitised to transgender issues and so are able to understand the issues pertaining to the community. There is a need for creating awareness at the lower ranks.” said Ms. Ramalingam.
*Names changed
