Image Courtesy:dnaindia.com
After Father Stan Swamy tested positive for Covid-19 at Holy Family Hospital, an RT-PCR test drive was conducted at Taloja jail for all inmates. The Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case accused Mahesh Raut, Sagar Gorkhe and Ramesh Gaichor have tested positive.
According to Republican Panthers Jatiya Antachi Chalwal activist Harshali Potdar, who was also questioned by the NIA in the Bhima Koregaon matter, the three accused persons have been quarantined in a very congested room in the Central jail. Despite testing positive, neither medical treatment of any kind has started, nor they have been given a medical diet to follow.
None of the three had been immunised against Covid-19. Activist Mahesh Raut has been suffering from cold, fever, cough, and weakness for more than a week. In a virtual press conference held on May 15, Mahesh Raut’s sister Monali, had complained about the inhuman conditions in jail and how she was not allowed to send a parcel of thermometer and oximeter to Taloja.
Superintendent of Taloja Central Jail told The Hindu that co-accused Vernon Gonsalves, Sudhir Dhawale, Surendra Gadling, Arun Ferreira, Anand Teltumbde, Rona Wilson and Gautam Navlakha have tested negative.
84-year-old Father Stan, another co accused in the case, is admitted at Holy Family Hospital for a period of two weeks for treatment of his ailments after he suffered major tremors due to his advanced Parkinson’s disease. He also tested positive for Covid-19 and according to an Indian Express report, he is in the ICU, on oxygen support.
Professor Hany Babu has also tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently undergoing treatment at Breach Candy Hospital for a severe eye infection. Dr. Varavara Rao, the only Bhima Koregaon accused is out on temporary medical bail. He had contracted Covid last year.
Related:
Bombay HC directs Fr. Stan Swamy to be shifted to Holy Family Hospital for 2 weeks
Transfer Hany Babu to Breach Candy hospital by tomorrow: Bombay High Court
Seek court’s permission before discharging Hany Babu: Bombay HC
Covid-19 a virtual death sentence, new persecution tool against Bhima-Koregaon accused