Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 2026-08-19

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Laxmi Narayan Tripathi & Anr.
  • Respondents: Union of India & Anr.
  • Primary petition: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 548/2026.
  • The batch comprised numerous interim applications (IA) including IA No.129061/2026 (permission to file additional documents), IA No.127541/2026 (stay application), IA No.121802/2026 (stay), IA No.124131/2026 (ex‑parte stay), IA No.120652/2026 (stay), IA No.126455/2026 (stay), IA No.133717/2026 (grant of interim relief), IA No.134553/2026 (grant of interim relief), IA No.213313/2026 (exemption from filing O.T.), IA No.213311/2026 (permission to file additional documents), IA No.221032/2026 (stay), IA No.169758/2026 (stay), IA No.224614/2026 (stay), IA No.883/2026 (PIL‑W), IA No.235964/2026 (permission to file additional documents), IA No.223446/2026 (condonation of delay), IA No.223445/2026 (stay), among others.
  • Hearing took place on 17‑08‑2026 before a bench comprising the Chief Justice, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana.
  • Counsel for petitioners included senior advocates such as Ms. Shraddha Deshmukh, Mr. Sanchit Singh, Mr. Sarthak Gupta, and many others; counsel for respondents included Mr. Prasanna S., Radiam Law, Solicitor General Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, and a team of senior advocates.

Order Details

1. The matters are to be de‑tagged and listed on 28‑Oct‑2026.

2. Respondent No.11, Dr. Chandresh Jain, appearing in‑person, is granted two weeks to file a counter‑affidavit.

3. IA No.235964/2026 (in W.P. No.883/2026) – notice to be issued, returnable on 28‑Oct‑2026.

4. The Solicitor General, on behalf of the Union, stated that the consequential benefits attached to the Transgender Identity Card, previously issued, shall continue to operate as valid, subject to the outcome of the present proceedings.

5. Any counter‑affidavit must be filed within three weeks; the Union is urged to file a consolidated counter‑statement addressing all claims across the petitions.

6. All matters are to be posted on 28‑Oct‑2026.

7. On the petitioners’ counsel’s suggestion, Mr. Rajagopalan R @ Kanmani R., assisted by Mr. Yashwant Singh, is appointed nodal counsel for the petitioners and intervenor‑applicants; Mr. Annam Venkatesh is appointed nodal counsel for the respondents.

Final Outcome

  • The Court affirmed that the benefits linked to the Transgender Identity Card will remain in force until the final determination of the batch of petitions.
  • Procedural timelines were set, including de‑tagging, notice issuance, and filing deadlines, and nodal counsels were designated to streamline submissions.

Topics: Transgender Rights, Judicial Procedure