Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Calcutta Court: Transgender ID Valid for Passport
A trans woman in Calcutta was having trouble getting a passport because the passport office wouldn't accept her transgender ID card.
She went to court, and the judge said the card *is* valid.
Although her original application expired, the court's decision means she can reapply using her ID.
This is good news for other transgender people who might face the same problem.
Calcutta High Court ruled the transgender identity card is valid for passport applications.
A trans woman was denied a passport for over a year despite holding a transgender certificate and ID.
The regional passport office initially deemed the TG card invalid, violating the Transgender Persons Act.
The court ordered the passport office to consider the card, and the application has since lapsed.
The woman must reapply, and the ruling sets a precedent for similar cases.
- Who
- Anuprabha Das Mazumder, the Calcutta High Court, and the regional passport office.
- What
- Calcutta High Court ruled that a transgender identity card is a valid document for passport applications.
- When
- The ruling was made on Wednesday; the woman initially applied in 2023.
- Where
- Calcutta, India.
- Why
- The regional passport office initially denied the passport, not recognizing the validity of the transgender identity card, which violates the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019.
Transgender Rights Advocates
Passport Authorities
Document Validity
Transgender Rights Advocates
Transgender individuals should be treated equally under the law and have their documents recognized.
Passport Authorities
Passport authorities initially denied a passport due to the lack of recognition of the identity card.
- Petitioner
- Anuprabha Das Mazumder
- Location
- Calcutta, India
- Court
- Calcutta High Court
- Relevant Act
- Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019
- Passport Type Applied For
- Tatkal
- Outcome
- TG card recognized; must reapply