The Bombay High Court bench of Justices Sambhaji Shinde and Nitin Borkar on Friday ordered the Taloja jail authorities to shift arrested Jesuit priest Stan Swamy to Bandra-based Holy Family hospital.
This comes after the activist, arrested for his alleged role in the Bhima-Koregaon violence case, complained of dropping blood pressure levels.
The bench was urgently moved by Swamy's counsel senior advocate Mihir Desai seeking permission to shift him to the Holy Family hospital.
Desai told the judges that his client's health has deteriorated further after the last date of hearing which took place on May 21.
He pointed out that the bench led by Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla had in the last hearing while refusing interim bail to Swamy had allowed him to consult his doctors.
Swamy had in the last hearing, refused to get admitted in state-run J J hospital and had specifically said that he would prefer to die in the jail instead.
Accordingly, Desai pointed out that now his client has agreed to get treated at the Holy Family hospital.
Desai further urged the bench to issue directives to the state authorities to allow an attendant at all timesin the hospital.
"Father Frazer Francis Mascarenhas SJ who is a retired Principal of St. Xaviers College can make arrangements for two attendants to be therein in hospital to take Swamy's care, since he is priest and do not have family," Desai submitted.
Public prosecutor Jayesh Yagnik however, opposed the request saying that the hospital at Taloja prison have the facilities to treat him.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh for the NIA also opposed the request.
The judges having heard the submissions, considered that Swamy is 84 years old and his health has deteriorated further.
The judges, accordingly, ordered the jail authorities to shift Swamy to Holy Family hospital. The bench also allowed Frazer Francis Mascarenhas, principal of St Xavier's college to attend him.
