See the 29-year-old Transgender to Become India's First Transgender Judge (Photo)

A young transgender woman has made history in
India after she was appointed as a judge where
she will hear and rule on serious cases.

Joyita Mondal Mahi has become the first member
of the transgender community to officially become
a judge in India. On July 8, the world changed for
the 29-year-old when she attended office as
Bengal’s first transgender judge of a Lok Adalat.
Accoring to Hindustan Times, on her first day as
judge at Islampur in the North Dinajpur, Joyita,
who was known as Joyonto in the past, heard
quite a few cases involving recovery of loan taken
from banks.
“In most of the cases I suggested negotiation
which the litigants found acceptable. In one
specific case I ordered the bank authorities to
confiscate a mortgaged property and recover the
loan because the borrower simply refused to sit
for talks, ” said Mondal.
“Law says that Lok Adalats can appoint social
workers with established credibility as judges. I
was appointed because I am a social worker and
not because I am a transgender person. I cross
checked with several national associations and
NGOs but none could say for sure whether any
transgender person had earlier been appointed as
a Lok Adalat judge,” said Mondal.
“When I came to Islampur around nine years ago
my job was restricted to working for the rights
and development of the transgender and LGBT
community. But as I slowly progressed and got in
touch with district administration officials, I felt
the urge to work for all people and not just a
community,” she said.
In 2015, Mondal joined projects that involved
setting up of an old- age home for HIV- positive
people and formation of patient’s welfare
committees. “My performance drew the attention
of the district administration and I was
recommended for this appointment,” said Mondal.
She said her new assignment will not hamper her
regular work because Lok Adalats are convened
once or twice a month. “There is a monthly
honorarium of Rs 1,500 for every session I attend.
I am also entitled to travel expenses etc. But the
association, responsibility and honour are more
important than the money,” said Mondal.
Ranjita Sinha, member of he West Bengal
Transgender Development Board said Mondal got
the job without any recommendation from either
the board or any association representing the
third gender. “And I am sure she will do well,”
said Sinha.