Mumbai: The Bombay high court Tuesday suggested to the government of Maharashtra that it take steps to include a transgender column in the online application form for change of name in the official gazette.

The division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice M.S. Sanklecha was hearing a petition filed by a 29-year-old transgender, seeking directions to the Maharashtra government to allow her name change application.

According to the petitioner, she was born a woman but started identifying herself a transgender from the year 2014. Thereafter, the petitioner adopted a new gender neutral name and decided to legally change it, according to the petition.

The petitioner said she wanted to pursue further education with the new identity. The petitioner approached the high court after the Directorate of Government Prin-ting and Stationery rejected her application to change the name three times.

Observing that the government had to take steps to include a separate column for transgenders, the high court directed that the petition be converted into a public interest litigation.