Santhi was denied the job on grounds of “misrepresentation”, that is “making the false claim of being a woman”, said the hospital staffer, pointing out that the hospital was under no obligation or compulsion to inform any Indian authority about Santhi’s ‘gender’ since the process was confidential and she had undergone the medical test only for a job.

C K Valson, Joint Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association, who was in Doha as an Assistant Technical Delegate, said: “We heard that the Southern Railways had done a gender verification test on Santhi. But if they had done such a test and if Santhi had failed it, they should have informed the authorities concerned about it. There is no such official report from the Southern Railways authorities and I don’t think the Railways Hospital here is equipped to do such a test.”

He confirmed that Santhi had been subjected to the gender test at Doha on December 10. “But we have not received any official communication as yet about the results,” said Valson. He was of the view that Santhi could still undergo “hormone therapy and surgery, if needed,” and after two years, could also appeal for being allowed to return to competitive athletics.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government decided to keep its promise of handing over a cheque for Rs 15 lakh to Santhi this morning. After receiving her prize in the Chief Minister’s chamber, Santhi told reporters: “I have not received any message from the Doha Committee. The medal is with me and as far as I am concerned I believe I have won it. I also received the Chief Minister’s blessings.”

... contd.