K'taka man marries transgender; kin approach cops, threaten section 377

Koppal (Karnataka): A newly wed couple in Karnataka’s Koppal district was forcefully separated by the groom’s family as the bride was a transgender. The couple tied the knot on Thursday, following which the groom's family was irked and took him to the police, according to a news report.

Radhika and Shivakumar met at Koppal railway station for the first time and have been in a relationship for a year now. Radhika’s transgender family was aware of their relationship and the couple got married in presence of her family. Situation turned ugly when Shivakumar’s family got to know of the marriage. The groom's family didn’t have a problem with the relationship but they objected to marriage. Shivakumar’s family wanted him to marry a relative’s daughter.

When Shivakumar was dragged to the Koppal police station, Radhika along with her transgender friends rushed to file a complaint against Shivakumar’s family but in vain. A woman constable present at the police station said that Radhika was living a lie and dressing like a woman wouldn’t change her identity. Besides, Shivakumar was locked at his place and beaten up by five men. “I want to spend the rest of my life with Radhika. I don’t want to live with anyone except her,” Shivakumar rued.

Despite her repeated attempts to file a complaint, police snubbed Radhika saying that she will be slapped with charges of Section 377 in case she prodded them further.