5 days ago
Delhi High Court Seeks SOP for Transgender Arrests and Detention
The Delhi High Court is asking officials to create clear rules for arresting and detaining transgender people.
These rules would explain how police should conduct arrests, searches, questioning and imprisonment.
A law student brought the issue to court through a public interest case.
The student said Delhi Police already has special arrest rules for women and senior citizens.
However, the student said there are no similar rules for transgender people.
The court asked the national government, Delhi Police and the Delhi government to respond.
It also told them to study advice from the National Human Rights Commission.
The case referred to allegations involving three transgender people arrested in May 2025.
The court wants authorities to report what steps they take and will hear the matter again on November 18.
The Delhi High Court asked the Centre and Delhi Police to take steps toward framing an SOP for arrest and detention of transgender persons.
The court issued notices to the Centre, Delhi Police and Delhi government on a PIL filed by law student Taaran Chandna.
The petition says Delhi Police has procedures for women and senior citizens but none specifically covering transgender persons.
The court directed authorities to consider the National Human Rights Commission’s May 2026 advisory on arrest, detention, search, interrogation and imprisonment.
The PIL cited allegations that three transgender persons arrested in May 2025 were searched by a male police officer without proper inquiry into gender identity or consent.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Centre, Delhi Police, the Delhi government and petitioner Taaran Chandna.
- What
- The court asked authorities to take appropriate steps toward framing an SOP for the arrest and detention of transgender persons.
- Where
- Delhi.
- When
- The direction was issued on Wednesday; the matter was listed for November 18. The cited NHRC advisory was issued in May 2026.
- Why
- The PIL argues that clear procedures are needed to protect transgender persons’ bodily integrity, dignity, equality and protection from discrimination.
Key facts
- Court bench
- Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia
- Case type
- Public interest litigation filed by law student Taaran Chandna
- Authorities asked to respond
- The Centre, Delhi Police and the Delhi government
- Relevant advisory
- National Human Rights Commission’s 'Advisory for Ensuring the Welfare of Transgender Persons, 2.0', issued in May 2026
- Proposed SOP coverage
- Arrest, detention, search, interrogation and imprisonment of transgender persons
- Incident cited in petition
- Three transgender persons were allegedly searched by a male police officer after their arrest in May 2025
- Next hearing
- November 18
Quotes
Delhi High Court bench
The bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
“We call upon the Union of India, the Delhi Police and the State government to file their reply. In the meantime, we direct that the advisory issued in May 2026 shall be considered and appropriate steps as permissible in law shall be taken.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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