The Kerala High Court has directed the State’s Directorate of Social Justice to disburse ₹21,000 in pending financial assistance to a transgender person for post-operative treatment and aftercare following sex reassignment surgery. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan passed the order on October 8, 2026, directing payment within two months of receiving a certified copy of the judgment.
Background
The petitioner approached the High Court after the authorities did not release the remaining assistance under the government scheme for post-operative treatment. According to the petition, the total assistance claimed was ₹36,000, of which ₹15,000 had already been received, leaving ₹21,000 unpaid.
The petitioner sought release of the outstanding amount along with interest at 18% per annum. The plea was directed against the State of Kerala, the Director of the Directorate of Social Justice, the Kerala State Transgender Board and the Transgender Cell.
During the hearing, the Government Pleader informed the Court that steps were being taken to release the amount, but approval from the competent authority was still awaited.
Taking note of the submission, Justice Kunhikrishnan considered it appropriate to direct the second respondent, the Director of the Directorate of Social Justice, to disburse the eligible assistance within a specified period.
The judgment recorded:
"If that is the case, there can be a direction to the 2nd respondent to disburse the eligible amount to the petitioner within a time frame."
The High Court disposed of the writ petition and directed the Director of the Directorate of Social Justice to release the eligible amount of ₹21,000 as expeditiously as possible, and in any event, within two months from receipt of a certified copy of the judgment.
The Court did not grant any specific relief on the interest claimed by the petitioner
