NHRC’s intervention leads to establishment of a gender‑neutral cell for inmates with diverse gender identities in Hyderabad Central Jail.

National Human Rights Commission Recommends Gender‑Neutral Cell for LGBTQ+ Prisoners in Hyderabad Central Jail

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently recommended the establishment of a gender‑neutral cell for prisoners with diverse gender identities and expressions (LGBTQ+) in the central jail in Hyderabad. This step was taken in response to complaints that had persisted for several years and to align with international human rights standards. Following the Supreme Court's 2014 Nalsa‑Sindhu judgment and the decriminalisation of Section 377 in 2018, recognition of specific rights for transgender and non‑binary individuals in India has increased, yet implementation of these rights within the prison system remained incomplete. The NHRC informed prison authorities that the existing separate cages and toilet arrangements are discriminatory and unsafe for transgender and non‑binary inmates, leading to numerous incidents of physical and mental harassment.

The jail authorities, taking the commission's recommendations into account, have prepared a special cell that will provide equal facilities to all gender‑identity prisoners. The cell includes a two‑tier security system, private toilets, healthcare and psychological counselling services, and staff trained in gender‑sensitive practices.

An independent monitoring committee has also been established for this initiative, which will regularly review the cell's operations and report any violations of rights.

Human rights organisations praised the move, saying it could set a model for gender diversity during incarceration in India, while some conservative groups expressed concerns about potential challenges to social norms.