SC issues notice to Centre and Air India over transgender quota

The Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, which proceeded to issue notice to Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The apex court also issued notice to Air India on petition by transgenders alleging that they weren't considered for Airlines jobs.

“Recognition of Transgenders as a third gender is not a social or medical issue but a human rights issue,” Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan told the Supreme Court while handing down the ruling”, it said.

The petitioner sought creation of a 3rd category. The petitioner had earlier cleared the examination conducted by the said organisation for the position in its cabin crew. The petitioner could not, however, join the same after aviation ministry allegedly said that there was no category to include her.

Ponnusamy, who is an Engineering graduate, had worked with Sutherland and Air India Customer Support before she underwent a sex change operation to become a female.

She had applied for the post of cabin crew member at Air India and despite doing well in the tests, she was not shortlisted, the petition states.