Chennai: The Madras high court has directed the state government to set up exclusive public toilets-cum-bathroom for third gender in Chennai especially in Tondiarpet, Choolaimedu, Pulianthope and Saidapet. The first bench comprising acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice RMT Teekaa, before which a PIL filed by Devarajan came up for hearing before, has passed the order.
The petitioner sought direction to the state government to construct exclusive public toilets-cum-bathroom facility for transgender, especially in places where the population is more.
The government pleader submitted that the Director of Social Welfare sent a letter to Joint Commissioner (Works), Corporation of Chennai to allocate/ build exclusive public toilets-cum- bathroom for third genders particularly in Tondiarpet, Choolaimedu, Pulianthope and Saidapet areas, where more number of transgenders presently live.
The bench said, “since a larger issue is involved in this matter, we hereby direct the petitioner to take a survey and submit a report facilitating the department to take appropriate steps to build exclusive public toilets–cum-bathroom for third genders where more number of third genders is living.” The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 5, 2017.
