Father Stan Swamy who was a lifelong activist for the Tribal Rights passed away at the age of 84 while he was in custody after he was booked under anti-terrorism laws after being a part of a protest.
Stan Swamy had been in jail for 9 months now and contracted Covid-19 in the jail itself. Swamy was also suffering from Parkinson’s. Swamy had to fight legal battles in order to move to a hospital due to his failing health.
He was arrested on October 8, last year for alleged involvement in the Elgar Parishad case. Many other prominent dissenting voices were put in jail in the case and Stan Swamy happened to be the oldest among them.
The news of his health deteriorating came yesterday, and in view of that, the Bombay High Court arranged for an urgent hearing in regard to his failing health. But the judge was informed by the doctor treating Swamy that he had passed away.
Swamy’s lawyer, Mihir Desai, has demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter.