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The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that activist Stan Swamy's bail pleas were rejected due to the nature of the charges against him. In response to media queries on the demise of the Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi said,
"We have seen reports on the demise of Father Stan Swamy. He was arrested and detained by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) following due process under the law. Because of the specific nature of charges against him, his bail applications were rejected by the courts. Authorities in India act against violations of law and not against legitimate exercise of rights. All such actions are strictly in accordance with the law"
“In view of Father Stan Swamy’s ailing health, the Bombay High Court had allowed his medical treatment at a private hospital where he was receiving all possible medical attention since May 28. His health and medical treatment was being closely monitored by the courts. He passed away on July 5 following medical complications.” – said Bagchi on Father’s health condition. He further stated that, “India’s democratic and constitutional polity is complemented by an independent judiciary, a range of national and state level Human Rights Commissions that monitor violations, a free media and a vibrant and vocal civil society. India remains committed to promotion and protection of human rights of all its citizens.”
Background -
It must be noted that on Monday, the bail plea of Bhima Koregaon Violence accused Stan Swamy became infructuous as Bombay High Court was informed today that Father stan Swamy accused in Bhima Koregaon passed away at 1:30 pm.
The Bench of Justice SS Shinde and Justice Nitin Jamadar were to hear Father Stan Swamy’s plea for temporary bail on medical grounds in the appeal which challenges Special NIA Court’s order rejecting his bail.
Father Stan was being treated at the private Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai following an order by the Bombay High Court on May 28. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on May 30.
“The petitioner had been admitted at the hospital. We record with a heavy heart that Dr D'Souza informed the court that Father Stan Swamy passed away today at 1.24pm.” - noted the Bench
Dr D'Souza from Holy family hospital further informed the Bench that, “the petitioner had suffered cardiac arrest early morning on Sunday.”
The learned Senior Counsel Mihir Desai for the petitioner submitted that, “the petitioner was provided best of the treatment at the Holy Family Hospital. However Father Swamy passed away.”
Stan Swamy, an accused in the January 2018 Bhima -Koregaon case was arrested from Ranchi on October 9, 2020. The High court was scheduled to hear his bail plea on Tuesday.
Violence erupted at an event to mark 100 years of the Bhima-Koregaon battle, leaving one dead and several injured, including 10 policemen.
The police had filed 58 cases against 162 people during a state-wide shutdown in January following clashes in Bhima-Koregaon.
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