Calcutta HC Directs Passport Authorities to Consider Transgender Identity Documents During Application Process [Read Order]

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has issued a directive to passport authorities to recognize and consider transgender identity documentation during the passport application process.

Justice Amrita Sinha passed the order on June 18, 2025, in a case involving petitioner Anuprabha Das Majumder, who sought judicial intervention in her passport application.

According to the Assistant Passport Officer’s report from the Regional Passport Office, Kolkata, dated June 17, 2025, the petitioner’s earlier application had lapsed after one year, requiring a fresh application with appropriate fees and supporting documents.

The bench acknowledged the administrative requirement and stated that standard legal procedures must be followed, directing the petitioner to comply with existing laws and regulations.

However, the court made a key observation regarding transgender documentation, explicitly stating that “the transgender identity card of the petitioner shall be taken into account at the time of consideration of the petitioner’s application for passport.”

Advocates Mr. Suman Ganguly, Mr. Sayak Chakraborty, Mr. Anish Mukherjee, Mr. Wrickbrata Roy, Ms. Tamaghna Pramanick, Mr. Iswar Das, and Mr. Shwashwitwik Chatterjee appeared for the petitioner.

Appearing for the State were Mr. Asok Kumar Chakraborty (Assistant Solicitor General of India), Mr. Kumar Jyoti Tewari (Senior Advocate), Mr. Amrit Sinha, and Mr. Ranjit Rajak.

Case Title: Anuprabha Das Majumder vs. The Union of India & Ors.

[Read Order]