From Boboi to Beoncy, the change is complete for young woman
HC confirms gender identity of Doctor
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2025: In a landmark judgment, the High Court of Manipur has directed the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM), Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM), Manipur University (MU), and Manipur Medical Council (MMC) to Dr Beoncy Laishram, a transgender doctor who underwent gender reassignment surgery, today.

The Single Bench of High Court of Manipur Justice A Guneshwar Sharma ruled in favour of Dr Beoncy, directing the authorities to update her certificates with her new name and gender (female) within a month.

On not masking the name of the petitioner, the Court said that Dr Beoncy being a well educated person holding MBBS degree will be a source of inspiration to other transgender persons to demand for their rights.

From Boboi to Beoncy, the change is complete for young woman

Dr Beoncy (32), as she is now known, is daughter of Nabachandra of Kakwa Laiphrakpam Leikai Maibam Leikai and her birth name is Boboi Laishram.

She holds the distinction of being the first medical doctor from the transgender community in the entire North East region.

Dr Beoncy who is currently working as a Medical Officer at SAS Mayang Imphal and Chumthang Clinic at Lamshang approached the High Court reportedly complaining that the refusal of the education boards and the State Medical Council to update her details was preventing her from doing her post-graduation in medicine.

The District Magistrate of Imphal West had issued a transgender identity card under the new name as Dr Beoncy Laishram with gender as 'female' and date of birth as March 8, 1991 .

According to the petitioner, she was bom male and her name is recorded as 'Boboi Laishram' in all educational certificates and documents.

In her Class 10 and 12 board exam certificates, MBBS certificate, Medical Council registration and other related documents, the sex was recorded as 'male' .

She underwent gender reassignment surgery on October 8, 2019, and became a woman.

Subsequently, her new name and gender were updated in her Aadhaar card, Voter ED card and PAN card with March 8, 1991 as her date of birth.

Following this, Dr Beoncy requested the Chairmen of BOSEM and COHSEM, as well as the Registrar of Manipur University, to update her educational certificates with her new name and gender.

However, her requests were denied.

Consequently, she approached the High Court, seeking a direction to the respondents to record her name as Beoncy Laishram and gender as female in her educational certificates and other official documents.

After hearing the submission of both the petitioner's and respondents' counsels, the Single Bench directed BOSEM, COHSEM, MU, and MMC to issue new educational certificates to Dr Beoncy Laishram, reflecting her updated name and gender as female under Sections 6,7,10 and 20 of the Transgender Act 2019 and Transgender Rules 2020 within a month.

Meanwhile, the Court noted that some High Courts typically mask the names of transgender individuals in their orders.

However, it opined that masking names might not be necessary in cases where transgender persons approach the Court to assert their Constitutional and legal rights under Articles 14, 15, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, as well as the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act and Rules.

The Court also observed that Dr Beoncy is not a victim of any crime and masking her name in the judgment order will amount to treating her as a victim of crime.

She being a pioneer in the field and a well educated person holding an MBBS degree, will be a source of inspiration to other transgender persons to approach the Court or any authority for their rights, the High Court further observed in its ruling.