NEW DELHI: In landmark initiatives, the Supreme Court under stewardship of Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has decided to revisit the modes of organisational and spatial developments, aimed at sensitisation towards and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Community to ensure a dignified work environment at the apex court.
"The Supreme Court initiated steps towards inclusive infrastructure and sexuality sensitization for LGBTQIA + community at the apex court under the directions of the Chief Justice of India, Dr Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud," an official statement said.
The top court is taking the lead towards inclusion of LGBTQIA + Community within the Supreme Court, it added.
Among the immediate measures, nine universal rest rooms are being created at different locations in the main building as well as the additional building complex of the Supreme Court. Online Appearance Portal launched earlier this year is also made gender neutral. Senior advocate Dr Menaka Guruswamy has been inducted as a member of Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC), it pointed out.
"A proposal for broadening of the scope of the Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee to Gender and Sexuality Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee, as requested by an advocate from the community, is also under active consideration. Suitable amendments in regulations keeping pace with the changing times and evolving needs of the society and the institution are being envisaged," it added.
