The Kerala High Court has sought a response from the State Government in a writ petition filed by a transgender woman, challenging the denial of reservation in admission to the Integrated Five-Year LL.B. Course at Government Law College, Kozhikode.
The petitioner, who qualified in the Kerala Law Entrance Examination (KLEE) 2025 and secured a rank in the merit list, contended that despite being legally recognized as a transgender person and entitled to reservation under the Supreme Court’s judgment in NALSA v. Union of India, AIR 2014 SC 1863 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, no separate reservation or category was provided for transgender candidates in the allotment process.
It was argued that the omission amounts to discrimination and a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution of India, as well as the statutory mandate prohibiting discrimination in education. The petitioner sought directions to the State and the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations to implement transgender reservation in admissions, create a separate category in rank lists, and issue appropriate government orders for future compliance.
Taking note of the submissions, the Court has issued notice and sought a detailed response from the State Government and other respondents on the implementation of transgender reservation in legal education.
Appearances:
For Petitioner (Esai Clara): Shri. Raghul Sudheesh; Shri. Unnikrishnan S. Thandayaan; Smt. Umadevi M.; Smt. Ambily T. Venu; Smt. J. Lakshmi.
For Respondents (State of Kerala): Government Pleader Appeared for State of Kerala and Respondents 2 & 3.
P C Sasidharan for R4, Calicut University