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, applied to the Mumbai special court for permission to use a straw and a glass to drink while drinking.
The NIA (National Investigative Agency), which arrested Mr. Swamy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, from his residence in Ranchi on October 8, has requested 20 days to respond.
The court, which must grant permission for the materials to be sent from outside the jail facilities, has published the matter for hearing on November 26.
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. In addition, some patients also develop problems swallowing or chewing.
“I can’t hold a glass because my hands are unsteady due to Parkinson’s,” said Swamy, who has been in Taloja Central Jail for almost a month and is currently in the prison hospital, on his request.
At the end of last month, a special NIA court rejected Swamy’s request for bail, which had been submitted on medical grounds.
The NIA had objected to bail, stating that the octogenarian had been booked under the strict UAPA (Illicit Activities Prevention Act) and therefore was not allowed bail.
The Bhima-Koregaon case concerns the violence that broke out in the vicinity of a war memorial in the village of that name on January 1, 2018. This was allegedly after provocative speeches were made during the conclave of Elgar Parishad held the day before 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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