Feature Image: Gopi Shankar Madurai (left) and Rahul Nadh IAS (right)
In what seems to be an blatant abuse of power, Chengalpattu Collector Rahul Nadh IAS allegedly harassed the southern representative of the National Council for Transgender Persons, Gopi Shankar Madurai by initiating action against him and other fellow members of his community while they had gathered at a place to discuss the problems faced by the trans community.
Gopi Shankar Madurai had come to Mahabalipuram to attend to the grievances of gender non-conforming and transgender people and had arranged dinner for them at a property belonging to the fishermen community on the night of July 31, 2021.a. Around 20 people belonging to diverse SOGIESC and trans communities who are homeless and jobless were present.
They were reportedly verbally abused and physically harassed by the Mahabalipuram police inspector and RI who later sealed the place of the fishermen community.
In an audio recording accessed by The Commune, the Mahabalipuram RI can be heard informing District Collector Rahu Nadh that 40 people have gathered at the place drinking alcohol and that Gopi Shankar Madurai had ‘spoken too much’ to the police inspector. Rahul Nadh tells the inspector to come to a place away from them. He can be heard telling the RI to ‘take photos and videos properly’ and let the others go with a fine after they finish eating. He also asks him to seal the place and slap an FIR against Gopi Shankar Madurai.
The RI reportedly sealed the place later and initiated action against Gopi Shankar Madurai.
Speaking to The Commune, one of the transpersons who wished to remain unidentified had told that both the Collector and the police were acted in a prejudiced manner insensitive towards the trans community members.
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