<p>A lady constable from Maharashtra underwent sex-change in Mumbai and became a "policeman", on Friday.</p>.<p>The 29-year-old constable, Lalita Salve, who is a resident of Majalgaon in the Beed district of Marathwada region, underwent sex-change at the government-run St George Hospital in Mumbai.</p>.<p>This is the first sex-change operation involving a policewoman while she is in service.</p>.<p>Ahead of the surgery, Lalita has already started using the name "Lalit Salve".</p>.<p>"This is the first stage of the surgery… the second stage would be conducted after six months," said Dr Rajat Kapoor, an eminent plastic surgeon.</p>.<p>Lalita had petitioned for a sex-reassignment procedure last year and had requested the court to direct the government to bear the expenses and also allow leave.</p>.<p>The surgery started in the morning, and after the procedure, she was shifted to the ICU, where she would remain under observation.</p>.<p>"It was a complex procedure," according to officials, who wished not to be named.</p>.<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has asked the police to consider her application favourably.</p>.<p>"She was female. He/she has developed transsexual gender symptom since last 2/3 years ago. She started getting attracted towards same female genders as against males due to chromosomal Y status as found in her genes. In absence of due medical care from state or department she/he continued to live under serious mental trauma and under social stigma (sic)," the PIL stated.</p>.<p>The petition also pointed out that she has undergone a psychiatrist test in the Sir J J Hospital for her/his mental status and sexual problems.</p>.<p>After medical tests, the doctors have found that she is suffering from gender dysphoria-type abnormality (uniqueness) and needed surgery. The doctors have adviced her to keep a "sound mind" while undergoing sex reassignment.</p>.<p>A graduate in literature, she had developed transsexual gender symptoms around three years ago and had even taken her seniors into confidence about her agony and plans for a sex-change operation.</p>.<p>Lalita had also pointed out Article 16 of the Constitution that deals with "Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment".</p>
<p>A lady constable from Maharashtra underwent sex-change in Mumbai and became a "policeman", on Friday.</p>.<p>The 29-year-old constable, Lalita Salve, who is a resident of Majalgaon in the Beed district of Marathwada region, underwent sex-change at the government-run St George Hospital in Mumbai.</p>.<p>This is the first sex-change operation involving a policewoman while she is in service.</p>.<p>Ahead of the surgery, Lalita has already started using the name "Lalit Salve".</p>.<p>"This is the first stage of the surgery… the second stage would be conducted after six months," said Dr Rajat Kapoor, an eminent plastic surgeon.</p>.<p>Lalita had petitioned for a sex-reassignment procedure last year and had requested the court to direct the government to bear the expenses and also allow leave.</p>.<p>The surgery started in the morning, and after the procedure, she was shifted to the ICU, where she would remain under observation.</p>.<p>"It was a complex procedure," according to officials, who wished not to be named.</p>.<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has asked the police to consider her application favourably.</p>.<p>"She was female. He/she has developed transsexual gender symptom since last 2/3 years ago. She started getting attracted towards same female genders as against males due to chromosomal Y status as found in her genes. In absence of due medical care from state or department she/he continued to live under serious mental trauma and under social stigma (sic)," the PIL stated.</p>.<p>The petition also pointed out that she has undergone a psychiatrist test in the Sir J J Hospital for her/his mental status and sexual problems.</p>.<p>After medical tests, the doctors have found that she is suffering from gender dysphoria-type abnormality (uniqueness) and needed surgery. The doctors have adviced her to keep a "sound mind" while undergoing sex reassignment.</p>.<p>A graduate in literature, she had developed transsexual gender symptoms around three years ago and had even taken her seniors into confidence about her agony and plans for a sex-change operation.</p>.<p>Lalita had also pointed out Article 16 of the Constitution that deals with "Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment".</p>
