Chennai: It was a proud moment for 24-year-old Prithika Yashini as she received her appointment letter to be the first transgender cop in the country.
An overjoyed Prithika, who received her appointment order from City Police Commissioner Smith Saran, will be undergoing training to be a sub-inspector.
Speaking to the media, she said, “As the first transgender police officer, I am happy to take up the job and do well”.
Her training will begin on February 26 near Chennai, following the completion of which she wishes to focus on curbing crime against women. She is also reportedly preparing for her IPS exams.
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court recently held that Prithika is entitled to be recruited as sub-inspector of Tamil Nadu police.
Her journey of several hurdles began in February 2015 when Tamil Nadu Uniformed Service Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) rejected her application for written exams since her education certificates carried her male name.
She moved the Madras High Court and was given an opportunity to appear for the exam in May, which she cleared and qualified for the medical tests.
“During my physical test, I fell short by just about 1.1 seconds and finished in 18.5 seconds. The board rejected me on the grounds that I failed the physical endurance process”, Prithika said.
She filed a writ petition in Madras High Court challenging the decision. “When the final hearing came, judges S K Kaul and Puspha Sathyanarayana declared me eligible and could be appointed as sub-inspector,” Prithika said.
The judges are also said to have remarked that a difference of 1.11 seconds in the physical endurance test would not make a major impact in the decision of recruiting Prithika Yashini.
