SC issues notice to Centre over guidelines banning transgenders from donating blood

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Central government after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the blood donor guidelines, 2017, which bans transgender, sex workers from donating blood.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde, issued notice to the government and sought reply after hearing a petition filed by member of the transgender community Thangjam Santa Singh.

The PIL challenged the constitutional validity of section 12 and 51 of Blood Donor guidelines 2017, and sought a stay on the rule.

To which, the bench refused to grant an interim relief of stay while observing that the court is not an expert in scientific issues. (UNI)