After a complaint by Kerala-based community based organisation for LGBTQIA+ people Queerythm, the Palarivattom Police in Ernakulam have asked all Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) procedures to be stopped at the city-based Renai Medicity Hospital until further notice. Queerythm filed the complaint with the Palarivattom police soon after the death of Anannyah Kumari Alex, a 28-year-old trans woman radio jockey and model. Earlier Anannyah had alleged that she was suffering after her SRS surgery at Renai Medicity had gone wrong. The organisation also filed another complaint with the Kalamassery police station, along with Anannyah’s father and Neha, vice president of DTFK (Democratic Transgender Federation Kerala), to allow the postmortem of her body only by an expert panel.
The complaint filed by Queerythm with the Palaravittom police mentions the physical and mental difficulties Anannyah had to go through after the surgery. Anannyah had spoken to the media about the surgery as well as how irresponsibly the hospital authorities had behaved. She had initially been a candidate for the Kerala Assembly election held earlier this year, however, she later withdrew her candidature.
"We have come to know of several other cases (of the hospital) where surgeries were performed without following proper procedure and only aiming at financial gain," the complaint says. It further requests that until further investigations reveal the truth, the police should instruct all SRS treatments to be stopped at the hospital.
The complaint also mentions Dr Arjun Asokan, who allegedly performed the surgery on Anannyah, and asks that legal action be taken against him and the hospital after looking into any lapses.
"We have also lodged a complaint with the Kalamassery police to allow the postmortem of Anannyah's body only by an expert panel. A First Information Report has been registered for this as well," says Prijith, president of Queerythm.
They also wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as well as Health Minister Veena George, pointing out the same issues. Minister Veena has ordered a probe into Anannyah’s death.
Queerythm has called for a protest at 4 pm on Wednesday outside Renai Medicity, asking for justice for Anannyah.