In a move to ensure continuity and deepen expertise within its specialized Advisory Committee on transgender rights, the Supreme Court of India on Friday appointed Ms. Aparna Mehrotra, Senior Associate at the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR), as a new member.
The decision, delivered by a Bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan, also clarified that Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar would remain on the committee despite her departure from CLPR, citing her “extensive work” in the field.
A Strategic Expansion of Expertise
The order came during the hearing of a Miscellaneous Application filed by Ms. Jayna Kothari, the learned Amicus Curiae in the case of Jane Kaushik v. Union of India. Kothari had requested the inclusion of Ms. Mehrotra to maintain CLPR’s representation on the committee.
The Court’s ruling ensures that the committee retains its institutional memory while gaining fresh perspective:
- Ms. Aparna Mehrotra joins as a representative of CLPR and its scholarship in transgender rights.
- Ms. Nithya Rajshekhar, who was originally appointed in October 2025 to represent CLPR, will continue as an individual member due to her significant contributions to the discourse.
Context of the Case
The Advisory Committee was originally constituted on October 17, 2025, following a landmark judgment in the Jane Kaushik case. The petitioner, Jane Kaushik, a qualified transgender teacher, had approached the apex court after facing systemic discrimination and harassment at private schools.
In its October ruling, the Supreme Court reprimanded both Central and State governments for “gross apathy” in implementing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. The Committee, currently headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Asha Menon, is tasked with:
- Formulating a model Equal Opportunity Policy for employment and education.
- Suggesting measures for reasonable accommodation in public and private workplaces.
- Streamlining procedures for identity certification and grievance redressal.
A “Watershed Moment” for Inclusion
The Bench emphasized that the expansion was “in the interest of functioning of the Advisory Committee,” ensuring the body remains robust as it drafts the policies that will shape the future of transgender inclusion in India.
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