View of Karnataka High Court. | Photo credit: File photo
The Karnataka High Court has allowed two transgender applicants to continue their ongoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without interruption pending a final decision on their petitions challenging the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Act, 2026, which restricts self-identification and mandates medical board certification.
A Vacation Bench of Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum passed the interim order as the petitioners, who claim to be female-identifying transgender people, complained that doctors at a reputed private hospital where they have been undergoing HRT since November 2023 refused to continue their treatment due to a recent amendment to the law.
Analogous interim order
Counsel for the petitioners placed strong reliance on a similar interim order passed by the Kerala High Court where similarly situated persons were allowed to continue hormone therapy with appropriate instructions to the medical authorities. The petitioners argued that the amendments would affect their rights.
However, the Additional Attorney General of India told the court that the petitioners have not brought any material on record to show that the authorities have initiated or proposed enforcement measures to curb such treatment. The High Court was also informed that the issue regarding the validity of the amendment is currently pending in the Supreme Court and the Union Government is considering filing an application to transfer all similar petitions pending in various High Courts to the Supreme Court.
After reviewing the medical records, Judge Magadum noted that “there is no dispute that the sudden interruption of such ongoing medical care may have adverse and harmful consequences on their physical and mental well-being.”
Subject to final outcome
While allowing the petitioners to continue HRT under the existing medical protocol, the court said the concerned doctors and health authorities should allow such treatment to continue without interruption. However, he added that the continuation of the treatment is subject to the final outcome of the petitions and orders to be issued by the Supreme Court.
Published – 08 May 2026 18:53 IST
