Read Time: 07 minutes

The Bombay High Court has directed Taloja Jail Authorities to strictly follow the recommendations of the JJ Hospital committee as well as the facilities mentioned.

Today, the Court asked Father Stan if he had any complaints regarding Tajola Jail and wanted to be treated in JJ hospital.

Swamy denied and requested for his interim bail.

Advocate Mihir Desai appearing for Swamy contended that jail hospital lacks the basic facilities and therefore he must be admitted to JJ Hospital or any other hospital for 10-12 days.

Stan Swamy (before Court over VC): "I'm 84 and Catholic. Only one thing that I request from the judiciary is that please grant me Interim bail...."

Advocate Desai : "Right now to take care of your health, please agree to be admitted in some hospital for few days in JJ or any other...please agree to that.”

The bench noted that Mr. Swamy has severe hearing problem and that on the face of it, it was apparent that he was unable to hear even the person sitting next to him. 

Court noted, 

"Taloja jail is directed to strictly follow the recommendation set out in the report of committee, dated 20th May,2021"

The bench of Justice SJ Kathawalla & Justice Surendra Tavade while hearing an appeal against the order October 22, 2020 passed by NIA Court rejecting the bail application of alleged CPI(Maoist) member, Stan Swamy, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the Elgar Parishad case on medical grounds had previously directed the management of JJ Hospital to constitute a committee for examining the medical condition of Swamy & submit a report before the Court on May 21, 2021.

It is noted that, Swamy’s medical bail plea was listed after his counsel Mihir Desai submitted a note to the court detailing the lack of medical aid at the Taloja prison, the lack of physical distancing at the facility and Swamy’s health condition. 

The note stated how Father Stan was unwell with cough, fever, an upset stomach & a feeling of weakness.

“Afflicted with the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease and debilitating tremors in both arms almost impairs him from accomplishing basic and essential daily tasks such as eating food, drink water and putting on clothes and taking bath, without the assistance of fellow inmates. 

Parkinson’s has also affected his ability to walk and he also took a fall in the bathroom. He has also been suffering from episodes of memory loss. He has difficulty remembering names and faces and is more often than not unable to recognise someone who he has met in the past and needs to be reminded of his earlier encounters with the said person.”, the note stated.

Owing to his deteriorating health conditions, Swamy on Tuesday was shifted to JJ Hospital in Mumbai from Taloja Jail & was later brought back to the jail after the tests.

After being arrested by the National Investigation Agency for his alleged involvement in the violence that occurred in Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2018 Swamy was lodged in Taloja Jail. 

Last week, families and friends of activists arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case had written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, urging the immediate release of the undertrials in light of the threats to their life and health posted by the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The matter is listed to be heard next on 7th, July.