Stan Swamy's death is 'judicial murder': Liberals slam judiciary, Centre

The death of Stan Swamy, accused in the Bhima Koregaon case, has triggered a storm on social media with the likes of historian Ramachandra Guha equating the death of the tribal rights activist as a case of judicial murder.

Stan Swamy was arrested by the NIA from Ranchi on October 8 and brought to Mumbai the next day. The agency booked him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and terror-related offences of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 

The central agency had claimed that Stan Swamy had helped the cause of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) through various civil rights organisations he worked with. The central agency also claimed that it has sufficient evidence to prima facie prove that Stan Swamy was part of the conspiracy to instigate caste violence in the Bhima Koregaon village near Pune in 2018.

The 84-year-old was said to be suffering from several ailments, including Parkinson's disease. Stand Swamy had moved the High Court earlier this year seeking medical treatment and interim bail. He had tested positive for coronavirus at a private hospital in June and was subsequently shifted to the ICU.

After his arrest last year, Swamy requested a sipper and a straw to eat due to Parkinson's disease. It took Taloja jail authorities more than four weeks to fulfil the request. 

Swamy was hospitalised in May following directions from the high court. He was in the Intensive Care Unit and was put on a ventilator on Sunday after he had difficulty breathing and his oxygen levels fluctuated.

His death has now prompted many prominent blue-tick Twitter users to criticise the judiciary and the central government.