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Lucknow, April 2026: Transgender people do not have the right to receive so-called "badhai" or "neg"—customary gifts that are paid on happy occasions like births, marriages, or housewarmings, the Allahabad High Court has ruled.

Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Amitabh Kumar Rai's bench rejected a plea by Rekha Devi, a transgender woman from Gonda district, seeking court orders for protection and demarcation of the area for collecting "badhai." She cited the custom and alleged trespass by other members of the community causing conflicts.

The court noted there is no law or legal authority for collecting money/gifts in the name of 'badhai' or 'jajmani.' It said that any mandatory collection may fall under the purview of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on extortion or illegal demands.

The court reiterated that the cultural practice can be evident in society but cannot be claimed as a legal or fundamental right under Articles 14, 19, or 21 of the Constitution. The court also rejected the idea of territorial rights and police assistance for collecting such funds.

This case has raised debates on how to reconcile traditional practices of the trans-gender community with contemporary law.