Kerala High Court orders State to pay post-surgery aid to transgender petitioner

The Kerala High Court has ordered the State government to disburse the remaining ₹21,000 in post-operative financial aid to a transgender petitioner. The ruling follows a writ petition regarding unpaid assistance intended for care after sex reassignment surgery (SRS).

Under a 2018 government order, eligible transgender individuals are entitled to ₹3,000 per month for 12 months, totaling ₹36,000, to cover post-operative treatment. The petitioner, who underwent surgery in October 2024, had previously received ₹15,000 but had not received the remaining balance despite repeated follow-ups.

Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan directed the Director of the Social Justice Directorate to release the funds as expeditiously as possible, and no later than two months after receiving a certified copy of the judgment. While the petitioner requested 18% annual interest on the unpaid amount, the Court did not grant that specific request.