TN appoints country's first transgender cop

After many painstaking legal battles, 24-year-old Prithika Yashini accomplished her life’s dream by becoming the country’s first transgender cop. 

An elated Prithika, who received her appointment order from City Police Commissioner Smith Saran, will undergo training to be a sub-inspector. “As the first transgender police officer, I am happy to take up the job and do well,” Prithika told Deccan Herald. 

Once she completes her formal training, which begins on February 26 near Chennai, Prithika wants to focus on curbing crime against women.” Prithika said she is also preparing for the IPS exams. 

In a significant ruling, the Madras  High Court recently held that Prithika is entitled to be recruited as sub-inspector of Tamil Nadu police.

The hurdle started in February 2015 when Tamil Nadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) rejected her application for written exams since her education certificates carried her male name.

She moved the Madras High Court and was given an opportunity to appear for the exam in May, which she cleared and qualified for the medical tests. 

“During my physical test, I fell short by just about 1.1 seconds and finished in 18.5 seconds. The board rejected me on the grounds that I failed the physical endurance process", Prithika said.

She filed a writ petition in Madras High Court challenging the decision. “When the final hearing came, judges S K Kaul and Puspha Sathyanarayana declared me eligible and could be appointed as sub-inspector,” Prithika said. 

During the hearing, the judges  also remarked: "we do not think that in the physical endurance test, a difference of 1.11 seconds should come in the way of Prithika Yashini in being considered for recruitment.”

Pointing out that the TNUSRB failed to include the third gender in its recruitment process despite a Supreme Court order, the judges hoped that it would include the category at least when it conducts the exercise next time. 
The hurdle started in February 2015 when Tamil Nadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) rejected her application for written exams since her education certificates carried her male name. She moved the Madras HC and was given an opportunity to appear for the exam in May, which she cleared.