The District Legal Aide Authority has selected a transgender, Bharathi Kannamma, as a member of Lok Adalat. She would appear for hearing along with three other panel members in the Lok Adalat scheduled this Saturday in the Madurai district court to solve the bank settlement issues.
District Legal Aide Authority Principal Sub Judge Jacintha Martin told Express that Bharathi Kannamma was chosen based on the services she rendered for the welfare of the transgender community. Bharathi will occupy the slot for a social worker member on the Lok Adalat, she said.
Bharathi would hear cases along with the three other panel members, said Jacintha Martin.
Giving details of her social activities, Martin said Bharathi started a free legal aide service as part of her Bharathi Kannamma Trust in 2013 and solved 32 cases, including usury issues, social stigma on HIV patients and family issues through the district legal aide authority.
No wonder, Bharathi Kannamma was elated. She described it as a boost for the transgender community who faces social discrimination. “I will encourage other members of the community to work for the welfare of the society,” she said.
She also received awards recently from Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam, for good performance in disposing of cases through the free legal aide which she run as part of her trust.
After graduating in Economic in 1978, she worked in various capacities, including HDFC sales manager in Madurai and also community advisor in an NGO spreading awareness on HIV, use of condom among commercial sex workers and among transgenders.