The Catholic community at large, who are concerned about the health and welfare of 84 year old Jesuit who has been a champion for the rights of tribal people – [still an ‘under-trail’ in prison on what many observers feel are trumped up charges]- are saddened at the news.

Jesuit priest Stan Swamy, the 84 year old activist arrested by the National Investigation Agency last October has tested positive for covid-19 according to local news reports.

The Bombay High court had on Friday directed Maharashtra state prison authorities to shift Father Stan from the Taloja Central Jail to the Holy family Hospital.

He was put in the ICU and on oxygen support and tested for Covid-19.

The Taloja jail superintendent said that Father Stan’s lawyers communicated his covid-19 status on Sunday morning.

After learning of the test results, the jail officials had two prison inmates who were Father Stan’s attendants in prison tested. Their antigen test results returned negative. The official stated that Father Stan was vaccinated for Covid at a prison vaccination camp on May 18.

  Bombay High Court, Jesuits, social justice, Stan Swany