In a groundbreaking move, the District and Sessions Court in Pune is set to witness a historic inclusion of 12 transgender individuals on the judicial panel during the National Lok Adalat scheduled for March 3. Representing social worker groups, these trans activists will participate in the Lok Adalat, marking a significant step towards inclusivity in addressing social issues within the judicial system.
The Pune District Legal Service Authority (PDLSA) has spearheaded this initiative to foster diversity and representation. Sonal Patil, Secretary of PDLSA, outlined the procedure for forming the panel, highlighting that this marks the first instance of the transgender community being integrated into the social worker groups of the panel.
Patil elaborated on the process, stating, “First, we will identify them, and later they will be guided and trained about the working of the panels. There are three member groups under each panel: one judge, one advocate or legal expert, and the last is a social activist. So, the trans members will be part of the social activist category.” This progressive step emphasizes the commitment to inclusivity and equal representation in the judicial system.
