LUCKNOW, April 29 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has ruled that 'Kinnars' (transgender persons) have no legal right to collect 'Badhai'-customary offerings or gifts given on auspicious occasions.

A division bench of Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Amitabh Kumar Rai made this observation while rejecting a petition moved by Rekha Devi, a member of transgender community, for protection against alleged encroachment of her 'territorial jurisdiction' for collection of customary gifts by other members of the community

The petitioner argued that such collection was taking place for many years and translated into a customary right. However, the court ruled that it did not have any legal backing.

"There is no legitimate or lega...