Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren blamed the Centre's apathy and the denial of much-needed medical help for the death of 84-year-old Jesuit priest who was in judicial custody while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mumbai.
Expressing shock at his demise, Hemant tweeted: “Shocked to learn about the demise of Father Stan Swamy. He dedicated his life working for tribal rights. I had strongly opposed his arrest & incarceration. The Union Govt should be answerable for absolute apathy & non provision of timely medical services, leading to his death.”
Leaders of the Church dubbed Father Swamy's death as the "murder of an innocent man". Theodore Mascarenhas, the Bishop of Ranchi, said, “We simply see it as an innocent man being killed. He was even refused a straw in jail and for seven months. Bail was denied. It’s time that the entire criminal justice system in India is reviewed.”
Several tribal & civil rights groups called it a murder of democracy. Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, a conglomeration of rights groups, said, “It is a clear cut case of murder of a person who dedicated his life for the cause of adivasis. We have been demanding for his bail, citing how he was booked under false cases. The investigators and Central government didn't even consider his age..."
Swamy was put on ventilator two days ago during treatment at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai. Dr Ian D’Souza of Holy Family Hospital informed the Bombay high court about his passing on Monday, a day before his bail hearing was scheduled.
Swamy was the oldest defendant in the Elgaar Parishad terrorism case at 84. He was arrested by National Investigation Agency in October last year in connection to an ongoing probe related to Bhima Koregan blast in 2008. After testing covid-19 positive few weeks ago, Swamy was finally shifted to hospital from Taloja jail on May 30, where he was languishing since October last year, on Bombay high court’s directives.
On Sunday too, JJM had demanded that the Centre and the Maharashtra government ensure that all necessary medical and specialised treatment was made avaialble to Swamy after he was put on ventilator.
