Chennai-based Trans Activist Summoned by Lucknow Police in Robbery Case, Ordered to Appear Personally—Grace Banu Calls it "False FIR! Never Visited Lucknow in My Life"

Lucknow/Chennai- Grace Banu, a prominent transgender and anti-caste activist from Tamil Nadu, has been summoned by Lucknow Police under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The notice directs her to appear in person at Talkatora Police Station in connection with Case No. 12/2025, which alleges assault, robbery, and criminal intimidation.

The summons issued on April 23, 2025 by Sub-Inspector Dinesh Singh of Talkatora Police Station clearly directs Grace Banu to personally appear at the police station within seven days of receiving the notice to record her statement. The letter states that if she fails to appear, an arrest warrant may be issued against her.

Following the police summons, transgender groups and human rights activists have expressed strong disapproval. They claim this FIR is fabricated and filed with malicious intent. The complainant Devika had earlier used casteist slurs against Dalit trans activist Yashika, following which Yashika had filed a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Holding a grudge over this matter, Devika - who is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Trans Welfare Board - has allegedly filed this false complaint in collusion with UP Police.

Background of the Case

This case originates from an FIR registered on January 8, 2025, at Talkatora Police Station. The complainant, Devika Devendra S. Mangalamukhi, alleged that Aashish Kumar (alias Yashika), Grace Banu, Jane Kaushik, Ritwik Das, and others had violently assaulted her on December 22, 2024. They snatched her purse containing cash and valuable and threatened her with rape and acid attacks. She alleged that they ran a defamation campaign against her on social media.

The accusations have sparked controversy, with activists questioning the timing and intent behind the FIR.

Grace Banu's Defense

In response to the summons, Grace Banu submitted a detailed letter categorically stating that she has never visited Lucknow in her life. She emphatically denied ever traveling to Uttar Pradesh's capital and presented concrete evidence proving her presence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on December 22, 2024 - the day of the alleged incident. Banu clarified she has never communicated with complainant Devika Devendra, whether telephonically or otherwise.

Citing financial constraints and physical challenges in traveling from Tamil Nadu to Uttar Pradesh, Banu formally requested her interrogation be conducted via video conferencing - a plea underscoring the practical difficulties faced by marginalized activists in such legal battles.

Human rights and transgender rights activists across India have rallied behind Banu, highlighting her 15-year legacy as a respected activist championing Dalit and transgender rights, a systematic pattern of false accusations to discredit her advocacy work. This case reflects the institutional harassment routinely faced by transgender and Dalit activists.

Chennai based prominent Dalit rights activist Shalin Maria Lawrence launched a scathing attack on social media. She wrote, "At the behest of ruling party elements opposed to horizontal reservation for trans persons, UP Police has fabricated this robbery case against Dalit trans activist Grace Banu. The audacity to frame someone who's never even visited UP! @Uppolice - do you consider Dalits easy targets for false cases?" Lawrence urgently tagged Nagina MP and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad, appealing: "Please intervene against this casteist conspiracy."

' Yes, We Exist', the transgender rights collective revealed crucial context through their statement: "UP police has summoned Dalit and Trans rights activist @thirunangai to Lucknow based on a false robbery case filed by UP Police after it got a notice from National Commission of SC to take against casteist remarks made by UP Trans Welfare Board member Devika S Mangalmukhi."

They exposed Devika's ideological stance: "Devika Mangalmukhi is opposed to the demand of horizontal reservations for trans persons, a demand that Grace & the LGBTQ+ community has been raising. Devika used casteist slurs against Yashika, a dalit trans activists, who then filed a case with the National Commission of SC."