Stan Swamy, 83, accused of instigating violence in Bhima-Koregaon (Archive)
Mumbai:
Father Stan Swamy, the 83-year-old tribal rights activist arrested last month for his alleged involvement in the Bhima-Koregaon case, will have to wait until at least next Friday to receive a straw and sippy glass he needs as Parkinson’s disease. patient and winter clothing.
The National Investigation Agency or NIA has filed a response to Mr. Swamy’s petition requesting the return of the straw and straw seized during his arrest, telling a special court in Pune that the agency did not accept them.
“Stan Swamy was never taken into NIA custody, so we never had any of his belongings. He was sent to judicial custody immediately, so he has to apply to the jail authorities. We don’t know if he has done so. the same request to the prison authorities, “he added. said an NIA official, requesting not to be identified.
After the agency’s response, the special court rejected Father Stan Swamy’s request and the activist filed a new request for permission to use a straw, a straw and winter clothes inside the jail.
The court has sought the response of the prison authorities and postponed the matter until December 4.
Earlier this month, the NIA, which arrested Mr. Swamy from his Ranchi residence on October 8, had requested a 20-day deadline to respond to his request for the straw and the sip. Swamy had forwarded his application on November 6.
Parkinson’s is a debilitating disorder of the central nervous system that can cause involuntary tremors or muscle spasms, making it difficult to perform even everyday actions, such as drinking. Additionally, some patients also develop swallowing or chewing problems.
“I can’t hold a glass because my hands are unstable due to Parkinson’s,” said Swamy, who has been in Taloja Central Jail for nearly two months and is currently in the prison hospital, on his request.
Late last month, a special NIA court rejected Swamy’s bail request, which had been filed on medical grounds, stating that the octogenarian had been booked under the strict UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) and , therefore, bail was not allowed.
The Bhima-Koregaon case involves violence that broke out in the vicinity of a war memorial in the village of that name on January 1, 2018. This was reportedly after provocative speeches were made during the Elgar conclave. Parishad held a day earlier at Shaniwarwada in Pune. .
The NIA claims that Swamy is linked to the activities of the CPI (Maoist) and had a role in instigating the violence.
Swamy’s arrest in October was greeted with outrage across the country, and Jharkhand’s chief minister, Hemant Soren, accused the central government of “crossing all boundaries.”
Others, including CPI (M) Secretary General Sitaram Yechury, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and DMK leader Kanimozhi, called the arrest an attack on civil liberties.
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