Stan Swamy, who had worked with tribals in Jharkhand for over five decades, was accused by the NIA of links to Naxals, especially the banned CPI (Maoists). He was arrested from his home in Jharkhand capital Ranchi by a team of NIA officials from Delhi.<\/p>\n
The NIA (National Investigation Agency) arrested him in October from his home under the anti-terror law (UAPA) in a broadly criticized late-night dive, rejected his bail request in court, and had said there was no “conclusive proof” of his medical ailments. The agency was adamant in declaring Stan Swamy a Maoist who had plotted to cause unrest in the country. He was popularly seen as an icon fighting for the rights of Jharkhand’s tribal populations, Stan Swamy had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease before being jailed, and contracted COVID-19 while in prison.<\/p>\n
In the Elgar Parishad Case, Stan Swamy and other accused in the case had complained to the court of poor health facilities in prison and alleged neglect by prison officials in ensuring medical aid, tests, hygiene, and social distancing in the time of COVID.<\/p>\n
Jailed near Mumbai since October, Father Stan Swamy spent the last few months of his life struggling even for the smallest of needs. In December, he was allowed a straw and a sipper in jail, which he had requested in court on account of Parkinson’s disease, which took so long for the court to grant him.<\/p>\n
Stan Swamy had told the High Court through video-conferencing that his health had consistently declined at the Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai and if he was not granted interim bail, he “would die soon”. He had requested medical treatment and interim bail multiple times.<\/p>\n
Last week, Stan Swamy had filed a fresh plea for bail in the Bombay High Court, challenging the stringent conditions for bail to an accused charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)Act.<\/p>\n
Stan Swamy was being treated at the private Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai following a court order on May 28. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had opposed a private hospital and had recommended JJ Hospital, to which, he had said: “I’d rather die here in prison.<\/p>\n
When the hearing started today, his lawyer told the High Court that the activist had died at 1.30 pm this afternoon in the middle of his fight for bail on health grounds. The Jesuit priest had been on a ventilator since yesterday when his health worsened drastically.<\/p>\n
In May, Stan Swamy had told the Bombay High Court that his health had consistently declined and that if the current situation continued, he “would die soon”.<\/p>\n
Srivatsa
\n@srivatsayb
\n\u00b7
\nThe death of #StanSwamy is a state-sponsored POLITICAL MURDER by the Modi & Shah Govt. Don’t call it anything else.<\/p>\n
\nThe death of #StanSwamy<\/a> is a state-sponsored POLITICAL MURDER by the Modi & Shah Govt. Don't call it anything else.<\/p>\n
— Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) July 5, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n