Handa, a male Cathar, held the rank of Jedi Master during the closing decades of the New Sith Wars. He mentored several Padawans, most notably the Human pair of Githany and Kiel Charny, who became romantically involved. Upon discovering their relationship, Handa prohibited them from pursuing it further, which led to Githany's defection to the Brotherhood of Darkness under the Dark Lord of the Sith, Skere Kaan. Both former students of Handa met their end during the Ruusan campaign, a conflict that ended with Kaan's Brotherhood suffering defeat.
A male Cathar, Handa possessed Force-sensitivity and underwent training to become a Jedi during the twilight years of the Republic Dark Age. As the Galactic Republic and the Sith clashed in the New Sith Wars, Handa achieved the status of Jedi Master and took on multiple Jedi as his Padawans. Among his pupils were the two Humans, Githany and Kiel Charny, whom he instructed concurrently. During their time under his tutelage, Handa repeatedly cautioned them against succumbing to their emotions and establishing a romantic bond, as it violated the principles of the Jedi Code. When Githany's mental state created blockages that hindered her ability to use the Force—a result of her struggle to grasp its immensity—Handa assisted her in restoring her connection.
Eventually, Handa discovered the romantic entanglement between Githany and Charny. Enraged, the Cathar Jedi Master forbade them from continuing their affair. This reaction from Handa prompted Githany to leave the Jedi Order and align herself with the Brotherhood of Darkness, led by Skere Kaan, the Dark Lord of the Sith. Charny remained loyal to the Jedi and served as a general in the Army of Light commanded by Jedi Lord Hoth during the Ruusan campaign. Both of Handa's former apprentices perished during the conflict that took place on the planet Ruusan: Charny was killed by Githany, who herself was subsequently killed when Kaan detonated a thought bomb during the final battle of the war, obliterating both the Brotherhood and a significant portion of Hoth's Jedi forces.
Handa received a mention in the 2006 novel Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, penned by Drew Karpyshyn. Furthermore, he was included as an entry in The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, which was released in 2008.