Would rather die than seek treatment in Mumbai hospital: Activist Stan Swamy

Stan Swamy, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case lodged in the Taloja Prison in Navi Mumbai, told the Bombay High Court on Friday that despite ailing health, he would rather "suffer and possibly die" than getting treatment at state-run JJ hospital in Mumbai.

Swamy was produced before Justices SJ Kathawalla and SP Tavade who read out his medical report. The report stated that Swamy suffers from extreme hearing loss in both ears, his upper limbs are slow, and he suffered tremors. It also noted that he needs physical assistance such as a walking stick or wheelchair.

"I was brought here eight months ago. When I came to Taloja, my whole system, my body was still very functional. But during these eight months, I have gone through a steady regression of all bodily functions," Swamy said.

"The main issue is that eight months ago I could take a bath by myself; I could take a walk; I could do some writing by myself. But all of these are disappearing one after another. So, Taloja jail brought me to a situation where I can neither write nor go for a walk by myself. I can't eat. Somebody has to feed me through a spoon," he said.

When the bench inquired if he wished to seek treatment from state-run JJ Hospital in Mumbai, Stan Swamy said, "What medicines will the JJ Hospital give me? I have been there twice. I know the set-up. I don't want to go there."

Insisting on interim bail, he added, "I would rather suffer and possibly die. I would rather be in Ranchi with my friends."

The court rejected Swamy's plea for interim bail, saying it was hearing arguments on hospital admission and not interim bail. It further added that Swamy's health problems seem "general in nature" and is probably "age-related".

The bench granted Swamy's advocate Mihir Desai the liberty to approach the court again if Swamy changed his mind about hospital admission. According to his counsel, Swamy has Parkinson's and other ailments.

"Someone must have told him, or he himself is an intelligent man. He knows his problems are only age-related. That's why he is pressing only for interim bail and says won't take hospital admission," the bench said. The High Court further directed jail authorities to follow the recommendations of JJ Hospital on providing health facilities for Swamy in prison.