New Delhi: The Centre has informed Delhi high court it needs time to come up with a policy that enables people who undergo sex change surgery outside India to get a fresh passport without difficulties.
The ministry of home affairs recently told the high court that it has advised the ministry of external affairs to come up with such a policy, adding that the identity of such Indian citizens can be verified through biometric records which are already available with the authorities, as the biometrics do not change after such medical procedures.
Ministry of external affairs said it needs time to examine the suggestion with various stakeholders & its technical feasibility before it comes up with a policy.
The government's stand came on a plea by a transgender woman seeking a direction to the authorities to re-issue her passport with her revised particulars, including new name and gender, since her appearance changed after undergoing sex reassignment surgery.
Though the passport was issued and the matter became infructuous, HC asked the Centre to evolve a policy allowing people who undergo sex change operation outside the country, to get a fresh passport in their new identity without hassle.
The government's counsel informed the court that MHA said the matter had been examined in consultation with the field agency, and since the biometrics are not liable to change after one undergoes such medical procedures, a mechanism or policy may be developed by the MEA.
MEA, in its letter, said MHA is in agreement that if a person undergoes sex change abroad and details in the old passport do not match with the changes, then the person may apply for re-issuance at Indian mission concerned.
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