Image Courtesy:livelaw.in
During the bail hearing of Bhima Koregaon case accused, Father Stan Swamy, the Bombay High Court has ordered Taloja Central jail to set up a video call with him on May 21 at 10:30 A.M.
The court said, “Taloja having video conferencing facilities, they shall arrange a meeting of the appellant with the court on 21st May at 10.30 A.M.” Father Swamy was taken to JJ Hospital yesterday but was brought back to Taloja jail around midnight.
The Bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and Surendra Tavade has also directed the Dean of JJ Hospital to constitute a committee of doctors including a neuro-physician, ENT, orthopaedic physician, general physician and any other doctor required to examine the Jesuit Priest and submit its report by 11 A.M on May 21.
Senior Counsel Mihir Desai, appearing for Father Swamy, told the court that they had filed an additional note to apprise the court on Father Stan’s deteriorating health. “He was taken to JJ Hospital yesterday but no medical report is given,” he argued.
While Mihir Desai listed the several ailments that Swamy has been suffering with since his arrest, J.P. Yagnik appearing for the State, informed the court that he was taken to JJ Hospital for vaccination. As per LiveLaw, Desai vehemently disagreed, and said that all inmates are being vaccinated in the prison itself and that he was taken to JJ only on account of his failing health.
On the other hand, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the National Investigation Agency (NIA), argued that as per Taloja jail’s report, Father Stan is “hemodynamically stable”, and is being provided two attendants for help, hot water for bathing and a high protein diet. A psychiatrist also visits him. He reportedly added that Father Swamy has also “never complained” about anything and has expressed satisfaction with his treatment.
Despite this submission, the court has directed the prison to produce Swamy before the court through a video conferencing facility on May 21. Father Stan was also administered his first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 on May 18, after considerable delay, as he did not have his Aadhaar Card.
SabrangIndia had previously reported that the medical note filed by Father Stan’s lawyer before the Bombay HC, submitted that he has been unwell with Covid-19 symptoms like cough, fever, an upset stomach and weakness. He had also taken a fall in the bathroom. The note further states that the medical staff at the prison has prescribed him Ole-5 which is an antipsychotic drug used in the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and mania, even though he has not been diagnosed with these illnesses.
The note complains of the abysmal conditions in Taloja with just three Ayurvedic doctors to tend to 3,251 inmates against the original capacity of 2,124. There are also no staff nurses, no pharmacists/compounder, no nursing assistants, no laboratory technicians and no medical specialist (general medicine, dentistry or gynaecologist).
Father Stan has been incarcerated in Taloja since October 2020 for his alleged role in the Bhima Koregaon violence case and also for furthering the cause of the banned CPI (Maoist) through various civil rights organisations, of which he is a part. The Special NIA court had rejected his bail application in March this year.
The order may be read here:
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