19-05-2025
Consumer court rejects complaint over denial of entry to transgender person in UAE
Observing that an Embassy does not fall under the Consumer Protection Act, the district consumer disputes redressal commission dismissed a complaint by a transgender person who was not permitted entry into United Arab Emirates.
The commission said that while visa service includes fees, it is a sovereign process and cannot be considered a deficiency in service. The commission said that therefore such a complaint cannot be maintained under the Consumer Protection Act.
The complainant was part of the Kinnar Ma organisation and had planned to go to UAE in February 2024. They were given a visa and made other arrangements like travel insurance, air tickets to travel.
On February 1, 2024, they reached UAE and were standing at the immigration. They were then approached by authorities who told them that transgender persons are not permitted in the country. They had to take a return flight and come back to India. They approached the consumer commission with a complaint against the Consulate General of United Arab Emirates and Merc travel agency, seeking compensation and refund for their losses, including in travel costs and return flight tickets.
They submitted that despite such a rule, they were given a visa and the travel agency also failed to inform them about the rule and hence said that it was a deficiency in service.
The commission also said that a prior consent is required from the government to file a complaint, which is rarely given. The order was given last month and made available on Monday.
