‘Prove Your Gender,’ Cops Ask Transwoman Who Was Molested

Transgender woman molested, told to ‘prove gender’ before filing FIR.

Transwoman allegedly molested in Mumbai. 

(Photo: The Quint)

On 13 October, a transwoman traveling from Navi Mumbai to Goregaon was allegedly molested in Dadar railway station. Upon approaching the cops, the cops told her to prove her gender.

The government railway police (GRP) at Mumbai Central arrested a 50-year-old Virar resident for allegedly molesting the transwoman at Dadar station.

According to Hindustan Times, the survivor said that the police made her produce a gender certificate before registering a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The survivor, who shared her experience on social media, was traveling from Navi Mumbai and had gotten off at Dadar station to board another train. At the station, she was touched inappropriately by the accused.

She raised an alarm and dragged him to the GRP to file a complaint. She said that while the police wanted to help, they did not immediately register a complaint as the section concerned refers to women. They insisted on a medical examination.

“I told them that I was not injured and a medical examination was not required. After a little explaining, they wanted proof that I was entitled to register a molestation complaint to present in court.”

Survivor to <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/transgender-woman-molested-told-to-prove-gender-before-fir-is-filed/story-Va1AQXCjg9vaZzMoMU1bEM.html">Hindustan Times</a>

She then produced a gender certificate, two hours after which the police registered the FIR.