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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
'The judgment has done me justice': Northeast's first transwoman doctor wins court battle; Manipur HC asks authorities to issue updated certificates
By: Donald Sairem IMPHAL: In a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday, the Manipur high court allowed the change of name and gender in the academic records of the transwoman Dr Beoncy Laishram, following a petition filed by her. The court directed the authorities concerned to issue fresh education certificates reflecting the petitioner's new name and gender — 'Beoncy Laishram' and 'female' — within one month. She is not just Manipur's first and only transwoman doctor, she is also northeast's first transgender doctor. Dr Beoncy had approached the HC after her Feb 2024 request to update her name and gender on academic and official documents was denied by the authorities. Her birth name was 'Boboi Laishram' and gender listed as 'male'. Dr Beoncy, a biological male before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Oct, 2019, had applied to the district magistrate of Imphal West for a transgender certificate. The DM issued both the certificate and a transgender identity card under her new name and gender. Her Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN card were subsequently updated to reflect the changes. Despite these updates, her requests to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU), and Manipur Medical Council to amend her academic records were not accepted. Senior counsel Jayna Kothari, representing Dr Beoncy, cited Sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 – the provisions which empower transgender people to apply for identity certificates and mandate that revised gender and name be reflected in all official documents, including birth and educational certificates. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ordered BOSEM, COHSEM, MU, and the Manipur Medical Council to issue updated certificates under Dr Beoncy's new identity. The court further directed that the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of the Act shall be incorporated into all existing laws, rules, and regulations of establishments within Manipur, as defined under Section 2(b) of the Act. The chief secretary of Manipur was instructed to issue necessary directives to all the establishments in this regard. Until formal incorporation is completed, these provisions shall be deemed to be read into all existing frameworks under Section 20 of the Act, the court ruled. Speaking to TOI, petitioner Dr Beoncy expressed immense joy over the HC's judgment. "It is a relief. I have been thinking of completing PG as well to advance my career and specialising in surgery or gynaecology someday. But I was scared I'd be made to stay in a boys' hostel just because my academic records say I'm a male, even though I've undergone reassignment surgery. The judgment has given me reassurance and done me justice," she said. She also hoped the judgment would raise awareness about the rights of transgender people, who often face marginalisation and systemic barriers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
It's justice for Dr Beoncy: Transwoman doc wins court battle for identity recognition
1 2 Imphal: In a landmark judgment delivered on Tuesday, the Manipur high court allowed the change of name and gender in the academic records of the transwoman Dr Beoncy Laishram, following a petition filed by her. The court directed the authorities concerned to issue fresh education certificates reflecting the petitioner's new name and gender — 'Beoncy Laishram' and 'female' — within one month. She is not just Manipur's first and only transwoman doctor, she is also northeast's first transgender doctor. Dr Beoncy had approached the HC after her Feb 2024 request to update her name and gender on academic and official documents was denied by the authorities. Her birth name was 'Boboi Laishram' and gender listed as 'male'. Dr Beoncy, a biological male before undergoing gender reassignment surgery in Oct, 2019, had applied to the district magistrate of Imphal West for a transgender certificate. The DM issued both the certificate and a transgender identity card under her new name and gender. Her Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN card were subsequently updated to reflect the changes. Despite these updates, her requests to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU), and Manipur Medical Council to amend her academic records were not accepted. Senior counsel Jayna Kothari, representing Dr Beoncy, cited Sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 – the provisions which empower transgender people to apply for identity certificates and mandate that revised gender and name be reflected in all official documents, including birth and educational certificates. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court ordered BOSEM, COHSEM, MU, and the Manipur Medical Council to issue updated certificates under Dr Beoncy's new identity. The court further directed that the provisions of Sections 6 and 7 of the Act shall be incorporated into all existing laws, rules, and regulations of establishments within Manipur, as defined under Section 2(b) of the Act. The chief secretary of Manipur was instructed to issue necessary directives to all the establishments in this regard. Until formal incorporation is completed, these provisions shall be deemed to be read into all existing frameworks under Section 20 of the Act, the court ruled. Speaking to TOI, petitioner Dr Beoncy expressed immense joy over the HC's judgment. "It is a relief. I have been thinking of completing PG as well to advance my career and specialising in surgery or gynaecology someday. But I was scared I'd be made to stay in a boys' hostel just because my academic records say I'm a male, even though I've undergone reassignment surgery. The judgment has given me reassurance and done me justice," she said. She also hoped the judgment would raise awareness about the rights of transgender people, who often face marginalisation and systemic barriers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Manipur HC orders State to issue academic certificates with changed name, gender to transwoman
GUWAHATI The High Court of Manipur has directed the heads of the State's education apparatuses to issue fresh academic certificates 'under a new name and gender' for a female doctor who was born a male. Boboi Laishram underwent a gender reassignment surgery in October 2019 and the subsequent legal process to become Beoncy Laishram, a year after completing her MBBS. This made her the first doctor from the trans community in the northeastern region. Ms. Laishram updated her Aadhaar, voter identity, and Permanent Account Number cards, but struggled to get her name and gender changed in her academic certificates prompting her to approach the high court. In an order on Tuesday (August 19, 2025), Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma directed the authorities of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), the Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, the Manipur University, and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh educational certificates to Ms. Laishram. The court did not find merit in the argument on behalf of the higher education authorities that any correction in the educational certificates has to start from the first institute, BOSEM, in this case. The court was told that the Manipur University 'has no objection in correcting the name and gender of the petitioner in the MBBS certificate' if the Class 10 and Class 12 certificates are updated first. The educational heads were accordingly directed to provide Ms. Laishram with fresh certificates mentioning her new name and gender 'in place of the original birth name Boboi Laishram and gender as male'. The authorities have been given a month from the date of receipt of a copy of the order to comply. 'This is a landmark judgment that should go a long way in easing the problems faced by transpeople and changing mindsets,' Ms Laishram told The Hindu.
India Today
2 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Court orders reissue of academic certificates for Northeast's 1st transgender doctor
The Manipur High Court has directed the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU) and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh educational certificates reflecting the new name and gender of Dr Beoncy Laishram, the first transgender doctor of Northeast order was passed by the single bench of Justice A Guneshor Sharma while hearing a petition filed by Dr Beoncy Laishram, whose birth name and gender were earlier recorded as 'Boboi Laishram, male' in her educational records. After undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2019, the District Magistrate, Imphal West, issued her a transgender certificate and an identity card in the name of 'Dr Beoncy Laishram' with gender 'female', in line with Sections 6 and 7 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Her updated credentials have already been reflected in Aadhaar, PAN and Voter this, BOSEM, COHSEM and MU declined to change her name and gender in educational certificates, citing absence of rules in their by-laws and arguing that such changes must begin from the matriculation stage. However, the High Court ruled that any educational institution or establishment is independently obligated under Sections 6, 7 and 10 of the Act to correct the records of a transgender person upon application, without waiting for initial institutions to do so. The court rejected the objections raised by BOSEM, COHSEM and MU, clarifying that the Transgender Act, 2019 being a special law overrides general regulations and must be read into all existing laws, rules and regulations. Justice Sharma held that 'any establishment', as defined in Section 2(b) of the Act, is bound to update records in line with the new name and gender of a transgender the High Court directed BOSEM, COHSEM, MU and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh certificates for Dr Beoncy Laishram within one month. Further, the Court instructed that Sections 6 and 7 of the Act shall be deemed incorporated into all existing laws, rules and bye-laws in Manipur until formal amendments are court has also ordered the Manipur Chief Secretary to issue directions to all establishments in the state to comply with this mandate. - EndsMust Watch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Manipur High Court upholds transgender rights to update name and gender in official documents
The High Court of Manipur has affirmed the right of transgender individuals to update their name and gender in educational certificates and other official documents. The ruling was delivered by Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma in the case of 'Dr. Beoncy Laishram versus The State of Manipur & Others'. Dr. Beoncy Laishram, a 32-year-old transgender woman and MBBS degree holder, approached the court seeking to update her name from 'Boboi Laishram' to 'Beoncy Laishram' and her gender from 'male' to 'female' in her educational certificates, including her High School Leaving Certificate, Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate, MBBS degree, and Medical Council registration certificate. The petitioner, who underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2019, had already obtained a transgender identity certificate from the District Magistrate, Imphal West, under the 'Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019'. Despite this, the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University, and Manipur Medical Council had not updated her certificates, prompting her to seek judicial intervention. The court's ruling addressed the core issue: whether a transgender person is entitled to update their name and gender in educational and official documents under Sections 6 and 7 of the 'Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019' and the associated 'Transgender Rules, 2020'. Live Events Justice Sharma ruled that transgender individuals have a clear legal right to have their self-perceived gender identity and new name reflected in all official documents, including educational certificates, as mandated by the Act. The court emphasized that these provisions must be incorporated into the rules and bylaws of all establishments, including educational institutions, to ensure compliance. In a notable departure from the practice of masking transgender individuals' names in judgments, the court chose to reveal Dr. Beoncy Laishram's identity, recognizing her as a pioneer and inspiration for others in the transgender community. 'Masking her name would amount to treating her as a victim of a crime, which she is not,' the court stated, highlighting her courage in advocating for her constitutional and legal rights under Articles 14, 15, 16, and 21 of the Constitution of India. The court directed BOSEM, COHSEM, Manipur University, and the Manipur Medical Council to issue fresh certificates reflecting Dr. Laishram's new name and gender within one month. Additionally, it mandated the Chief Secretary of Manipur to ensure that all establishments in the state incorporate the provisions of the 'Transgender Act, 2019' into their regulations, reinforcing the Act's non-derogation clause under Section 20. The court also clarified that a minor typographical error in the transgender certificate issued by the District Magistrate would not impede Dr. Laishram's rights.
