Petition filed in Hyderabad HC on behalf of missing activist Chandramukhi Muvvala

A Habeas Corpus petition has been moved by the mother of Chandramukhi Muvvala, a trans woman contesting Assembly elections in Telangana from the Goshamahal constituency..Chandramukhi has been missing since the morning of November 27, when friends found her to be not at home and unresponsive to phone calls..After waiting for a few hours in anticipation of her return, Chandramukhi’s mother and friends approached the Banjara Hills Police Station in Hyderabad, and subsequently filed a missing person’s complaint. The police then registered a First Information Report (FIR) on the basis of the complaint..Aggrieved by the police’s inaction in tracing Chandramukhi, her mother has filed a Habeas Corpus writ petition before the High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad..The petitioner submits that Chandramukhi had begun her election campaign on November 26, and has been missing since the next day. It is also revealed that Chandramukhi had been facing threats for her work for the members of the transgender community..“the detenue has been facing several threats for having raised her voice against the violence unleashed on transgenders in the city, particularly in a spate of incidents of grievous hurt and attempt to murder that have been happening in the recent past.”.The affidavit also goes on to name one Venkat Yadav, who is a “rowdysheeter” against whom multiple representations were made before the police. However, the affidavit states, no action has been taken till date while Yadav roams freely, attacking members of the transgender community with impunity..Also cited are instances shared by Chandramukhi with her mother wherein she has apprehended a threat to her life. Despite this, she decided to contest the Telangana Assembly elections to work for the upliftment of the marginalised community she belongs to..Fearing the lackadaisical approach of the State Police and its lack of interest in issues concerning transgender persons, the petitioner has moved this instant petition..“The sole reason for moving the current petition is also to bring to the attention of the Hon’ble Court the slack and disinterested approach of the police when it comes to issues of transgenders which is making the transgenders live in a constant state of fear and anxiety. It is feared that even in the current case the police will not respond effectively and hence the current petition (sic)” .The petitioner prays for a direction to the police to produce Chandramukhi before the Court to ensure her liberty, and to declare that the “inaction of the Police” is “arbitrary and unconstitutional”..Chandramukhi is an activist working for the issues of transgender persons. She is contesting Assembly elections as a candidate of the Bahujan Left Party..Image Courtesy: Facebook