Andhra Pradesh High Court upholds transgender rights
In a big move for equality, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has said that transgender women in heterosexual marriages are protected under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code—the law against cruelty toward wives.
The court made it clear that being a woman isn't about reproductive ability, but about dignity and identity.
Leaned on 2014 Supreme Court ruling
The judge leaned on a major 2014 Supreme Court ruling that recognized transgender people as a "third gender" with full constitutional rights—like equality and protection from discrimination.
Denying legal protection to transgender women just because of their biology was called out as unfair and against the law.
Decision strengthens India's Transgender Persons Act
This decision strengthens India's Transgender Persons Act, making it clear that self-identified gender must be legally respected.
It also sets an important example: transgender women deserve the same legal protections as cisgender women, marking real progress for LGBTQ+ rights in India.