JOIN USA lady constable from Maharashtra underwent sex-change in Mumbai and became a "policeman", on Friday.
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.
This is the first sex-change operation involving a policewoman while she is in service.
Ahead of the surgery, Lalita has already started using the name "Lalit Salve".
"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.
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.
The surgery started in the morning, and after the procedure, she was shifted to the ICU, where she would remain under observation.
"It was a complex procedure," according to officials, who wished not to be named.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has asked the police to consider her application favourably.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Lalita had also pointed out Article 16 of the Constitution that deals with "Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment".