Four Imphal-based lawyers withdraw from Kuki Professor’s case after Meitei threat

Lawyers in Imphal withdraw from case of Hyderabad Univ. Prof. Kham Khan Suan Hausing after threats from Meitei community. SC had issued interim order protecting him. Advocates faced threats & vandalism, so withdrew. Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum condemns incident, citing intolerance & radicalisation.

Four Imphal-based lawyers have decided not to represent Hyderabad University Professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing in the Manipur High Court after being threatened by members of the Meitei community, one of the advocates told The Hindu on Saturday. 

Mr. Hausing, a Kuki academic, who has been vocal about the alleged role of the State government in radicalising the Meitei community, is facing a private criminal case in Imphal filed by Meitei civilians for an interview he had given to a news website. 

Mr. Hausing has already been protected by the Supreme Court through an interim order in the case. He had approached the High Court to quash the summons issued to him by the lower court in the above-mentioned case.

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With senior advocate Anand Grover representing Mr. Hausing, four Imphal-based advocates – S. Chittaranjan, Victor Chongtham, Th. Zingo, and A Priyokumar Sharma – had also decided to assist Mr. Grover in the Manipur High Court. 

However, earlier this week, after receiving threats from members of the Meitei community, the advocates decided to withdraw from the case, Mr. Chongtham told The Hindu on Saturday. 

Mr. Grover added, “They were facing threats and vandalism and so the lawyers assisting decided to withdraw.”