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A transgender person was arrested on Thursday (October 16, 2025) in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, a day after 24 members of the community tried to take their own lives over a monetary dispute, police said.
On Wednesday (October 15, 2025) night, 24 members of the transgender community were admitted to the Maharaja Yashwantrao (MY) Hospital after they attempted to harm themselves following an altercation with Sapna Guru alias Sapna Haji, a rival group leader, and her associates.
Indore Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya told The Hindu that Ms. Haji has been arrested and a case has been registered against her and three other men who are her associates, identified as Raja Hashmi, Akshay Kumayu and Pankaj Jain. The FIR has been lodged for alleged assault and extortion.
Another FIR had been lodged on Tuesday (October 14 2025) against Mr. Jain after a trans woman accused him and Mr. Kumayu for posing as journalists and threatening them, and Mr. Jain blackmailing and raping the trans woman.
Another transgender person, also tried to take her life amid late night arguments at the MY Hospital. However, the police personnel at the scene prevent the act, Mr. Dandotiya said.
As per the FIR, there was a dispute between the two factions of the community and that Ms. Haji and her associates allegedly threatened and assaulted the 24 persons when they demanded some money from a deposit collected for a community conference, prompting them to try to harm themselves.
Mr. Dandotiya said that all 24 persons are currently admitted at the hospital but are out of danger.
Multiple factions of the transgender community have been at odds in Indore for a while now over issues like area division for seeking alms and control over the community, with the groups being involved in altercations and fights at various occasions.
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 104 for Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health – 011-4076 9002, Monday-Saturday, 10 am -7.30 pm. More suicide prevention helplines can be accessed here.
Published – October 17, 2025 11:34 am IST
