Stan Swamy, accused in Elgar Parishad case, dies in custody

MUMBAI: Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest and an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, died on Monday at Holy family hospital, according to a TOI report. He was 84.

“We record with heavy heart that Dr Ian Dsouza, medical director of Holy Family Hospital informed us that Stan Swamy passed away at 1.24 pm today,’’ said a bench of Justices S S Shinde and NJ Jamadar.

He was reportedly transferred to the hospital from Taloja prison following order of Bombay high court in May.

Mihir Desai, senior counsel for Fr Swamy, submitted that petitioner was provided best of treatment at the hospital.

In the circumstances, Desai, submitted that the body of Fr Swamy may be directed to be handed over to Fr Frazer Mascarnhes retired principal of St Xavier’s college who was allowed to meet him inside the hospital by this court.

“We have no objection to post mortem being conducted,’’ said Desai. However, all medical and post mortem reports must be deposited with the high court and it should be done in accordance with NHRC guidelines, he added.

Swamy was accused in the January 2018 Elgar Parishad case.

Last week, Swamy had filed a plea to challenge the stringent provision of section 43 D (5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) that regulates grant of bail in cases where the Act and its terror offences are invoked. — India News. Stream