Govt may make special rules for transgender prisoners: HC

The Bombay high court today said there was a need for special prison guidelines for transgenders.

Court made the observation while dealing with the bail application of a transgender prisoner, who also complained about "unfriendly" attitude of other inmates of the prison.

Prashant (name changed), a transgender, in his bail application alleged that though he was being kept in the male ward of central prison, Nasik, other prisoners avoided him.

"It is necessary to consider the larger issue of how these prisoners should be treated...some guidelines are needed to be laid down," said division bench of justice Ranjana Desai and justice VK Tahilramani.

"We sympathise with him", justice Desai said.

Prashant is also an HIV patient, but judges remarked that other prisoners avoided him probably because of his being a transgender.

The court rejected his bail application, but granted his plea that he be shifted to Thane prison where two other transgenders are kept in a separate ward.

Court said that he will be kept in a separate cell, but would be able to talk with the two transgender inmates. Treatment and diet be provided to him as per high court's recent guidelines on HIV prisoners, judges said.

Prashant was convicted last year for being involved in a prostitution racket and sentenced to 10 years.