Karnataka High Court seeks details about financial assistance under transgender policy after noting student's inability to pay fees at NLSIU

The Karnataka High Court recently sought details from the State about the manner in which the Karnataka State Policy on Transgenders, 2017 has been implemented by the government. .Single-judge Justice Ravi V Hosmani passed the order after noting that a transgender law aspirant before the Court was unable to pay the fees for the three-year LL.B course at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore..The judge noted that the 2017 Policy mentions provisions for financial assistance and, therefore, asked the State government whether transgender persons in the State can avail of financial assistance, and if so, in what manner and to what extent..Karnataka High Court directs NLSIU Bangalore to provisionally admit transgender student to three-year LLB course.The Court was hearing a plea filed by the student seeking directions to the State government to implement the Karnataka State Policy on Transgenders, 2017 and provide reservations to transgender persons in NLSIU.The plea also sought quashing of the decision of the University denying admission to the petitioner and a direction to admit the petitioner in the three-year LL.B. course for the academic year 2023-2024..In August 2023, single-judge Justice Ashok S Kinagi had passed an interim order directing NLSIU to provisionally admit the petitioner if found eligible..NLSIU appealed against the interim order before a division bench of the High Court which refused to interfere with the order, saying that NLSIU could request the single-judge for speedy disposal of the case..However, the petitioner was unable to pay the fees demanded by NLSIU due to precarious financial position. Back again before the single-judge, the petitioner contended that mere provision of reservation of seats for transgender persons or the interim order directing the university to provisionally admit the petitioner would not adequately address the problems faced by the transgender community, especially in the absence of adequate provisions for financial assistance. NLSIU on the other hand argued that all possible assistance available within the legal framework was offered to the petitioner. It was also contended that since the academic session of the course has already commenced, even if the petitioner pays fees now, they would not be able to make up the required attendance mandated under the University Regulations..Taking note of the submissions of all parties, the Court sought the views of the State on the implementation of the 2017 Policy.The matter will be taken up next on February 19..The petitioner was represented by advocate Clifton D Rozario.