Several tribal & civil rights groups and leaders of different parties in Jharkhand and across the country sunk into grief following the news of 84-year-old father Stan Swamy’s demise on Monday, two days after he was put on ventilator during his treatment at Holy family hospital in Mumbai

Dr Ian D’Souza of Holy Family Hospital informed the Bombay high court on Monday that Swamy passed away at 1:30 pm. The Jesuit priest was awaiting bail despite his deteriorating health following his arrest by National Investigation Agency in October last year in connection to an ongoing probe related to Bhima Koregan blast in 2008.

Expressing shock and condolences, agriculture minister Badal Patralekh said, “I am saddened with the news. May he rest in peace and his family get strength to overcome the sorrow.”

Former state Congress chief and party’s national spokesperson Ajoy Kumar said that it was a personal loss to him. “The void he left can’t be filled,” he said, adding that his death is a murder of democracy. “It is not death on a noble person but murder of democracy. Another feather in the cap of Modi Government!! Shameful, Brutal, Gruesome!”

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, following Bombay high court’s directive. Despite hosts of comorbid conditions and falling health, he wasn’t granted bail despite several activists including Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch, a group of different rights body demanding on numerous occasions at different platforms.

On Sunday, JJM again demanded the central and Maharashtra government to urgently ensure all the necessary medical and specialised treatment to him after he was put on ventilator. JJM also demanded that the Bombay High Court to immediately grant him bail and sent back to Jharkhand.

Swamy, who was in in judicial custody was booked under anti-national cases causing uproar among tribal and civil rights group globally.

JJM had also accused NIA and central government for the sufferings of this elderly person. “The NIA court also played its role by denying him a bail on both medical grounds and merit. Assurances of the Maharashtra government regarding support for Stan Swamy are yet to be seen,” said JJM. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren too had condemned the arrest and expressed support and solidarity last year.