Transgender not barred from mall: Phoenix Marketcity's director

Pune (Maharashtra) [India], Mar 17 (ANI): Hours after a Pune-based transgender was allegedly barred from entering Phoenix Marketcity, the director of the mall refuted and claimed that the woman had earlier visited the mall and no such issues have been registered.

The victim, identified as Sonali Dalvi, alleged that security guards at the entrance refused to proceed with her security check and claimed that the mall's policy did not allow transgenders to enter the premises.

"This woman has visited the mall in the past too and there have been no such issues. We checked CCTV footages; we will sensitize our staff for future," Director, Phoenix Mall, Rajiv Malla told ANI.

"Everyone is welcome and allowed here," he added.

Earlier in the day, on describing her ordeal, Sonali said, "I had gone for shopping to the mall around 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. As I proceeded to the ladies section for security check, the lady guard, who was visibly awkward, refused to check my belongings and proceeded to call other lady guards. One of them came up to me and said transgenders are not allowed in the mall as per the company policy, and subsequently asked me to leave."

"Later, a crowd gathered at the spot and asked the guards to let me go. However, one of them present there said I could enter, but have to refrain from going to the second and third floors. They kept me waiting for half an hour and kept giving me excuses. I have never been discriminated against in any public place so far. I will definitely file a case against the owners so that nobody from my community or any other faces this in the future," Sonali added.

However, an official statement from Phoenix Marketcity refuted Sonali's claims and clarified that the concerned person was allowed to enter the mall premises within no time.

"We would like to state that based on the detailed report given by the security agency, the person in question was asked for verification by the security guards and directed to the desired destination in less than five minutes. We regret any inconvenience caused to the customer but security precautions are part of the process," the statement read.

"We would also like to clearly state that we neither had nor have any intentions of hurting sentiments or discriminating anyone on the basis of their caste or gender. In fact, we strongly believe in an inclusive society," the statement added. (ANI)