New Delhi: The Supreme Court on October 9 (Monday) dismissed a transfer petition filed by Dr. Kham Khan Suan Hausing, professor of political science at the University of Hyderabad, and granted him permission to appear virtually in the Manipur high court.The petition requested the relocation of a criminal petition from the Manipur high court to the Delhi high court.The case was heard by a division bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M. Trivedi.There are two criminal proceedings initiated in the state against Dr Hausing.He had been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for giving an interview to The Wire. He had spoken on the crisis in Manipur.On July 10, a second FIR was filed against him regarding his inclusion in the electoral roll of the Churachandpur assembly constituency in 2005 through fraudulent means.On August 14, the Supreme Court granted him a two-week interim protection from arrest by the Manipur police.Also read: ‘Dangerous Precedent’: Academics Criticise Criminal Complaint Against Prof Who Spoke on ManipurOn October 9, the court acknowledged this order and allowed the petitioner to continue seeking remedies through virtual means.During the hearing, senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for the petitioner, requested the court to allow the continuation of the August 14 order for another couple of weeks.During the hearing, Grover explained that it took several weeks to receive hard copies of the necessary documents for the petition, following previous instructions from the Manipur high court.This delay served as evidence that the state’s conditions were not conducive for normal judicial proceedings.He also pointed out that three advocates who were representing Dr. Hausing in the Manipur high court had withdrawn from the case due to alleged threats.Additionally, he highlighted a case where the residence of one of the lawyers had been vandalised by a mob, emphasising the ongoing threat to legal representatives in the state.Grover contended that these circumstances were beyond the control of the petitioner, yet the interim protection granted to him was dissolved for no fault of his, the Leaflet reported.Justice Trivedi said that despite the expiry of the two-week interim protection, no coercive steps had been taken by the Manipur police against Dr Hausing.However, Grover responded saying that why should the petitioner suffer the agony of anticipating an arrest.”The court dismissed the transfer petition. It granted liberty to the petitioner to file the petition through the virtual mode and to appear before the high court online.