‘Swamy’s death cannot be used to drop charges’

{ NIA TELLS BOMBAY HC } ELGAR PARISHAD CASE

- Karuna Nidhi

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday opposed a petition filed in the Bombay high court seeking to remove the “odium” of criminal charges against Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy who died in custody in July 2021 while awaiting trial in the Elgar Parishad case.

‘A renowned tribal rights activist, the Jesuit priest was one of 16 people arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) ‘Act (UAPA) for his alleged role in violence that broke out at Bhima Koregaon in 2018. The Elgar Parishad had held a meeting in Pune on January 1 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, which led to violence and the resultant death of one person, investigators claim. The trial against the remaining 15 accused in the case has yet to begin.