Of late on Monday 19th July 2021, the Bombay High Court remarked that speedy trial is a fundamental right, pointing out to the accused in the Bhima Koregaon caste violence case.
While hearing a plea requesting the Court directed that an inquiry be made into the death of Stan Swamy, a tribal rights activist who died on 05th July 2021. Swamy was one of the 16 members arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case.
The Division Bench constituted by Justices S. S. Shinde and N. J Jamadar said, “charges are not framed in the case…people are languishing in jail. For how many years without trial can people languish in jail? Speedy Trial is a fundamental right.”
The petitioner also sought the filing of the inquiry report in court and that the kin of Father Frazer Mascerenhas is made part of the inquiry. He said he was not looking for the cause of the death of Stan Swamy, but what ultimately led to his death in jail.
The matter is posted for the next hearing on 23rd July 2021.
