HC seeks ED response on man’s torture, forced statement allegations
Justice EV Venugopal directed the ED and the police department to file counters and posted the matter for further hearing on Nov 27. In his petition, he sought an independent, court-monitored investigation, preservation of CCTV footage and records from the ED office, registration of an FIR based on his complaint, and a direction restraining authorities from relying on the disputed statement. He has also approached Saifabad police seeking registration of an FIR against the ED officials concerned. Appearing for the ED, counsel Zoheb Hossain opposed the petition, arguing that it was not maintainable. Citing Supreme Court precedents, he urged the court to dismiss the petition at the threshold.
He contended that complaints against public servants must be pursued before the jurisdictional magistrate in accordance with the law. Hyderabad : Telangana high court on Friday sought responses from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the police on a petition alleging illegal detention and custodial torture by ED officials during questioning in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor transportation scam.
He further alleged that businessman Vallu Sandeep, who has a land dispute with his family, entered the interrogation room later in the day and pressured him to state that his family had received black money in a land transaction and to name former minister KV Nageswara Rao and his son K Sunil Kumar. Sandeep allegedly threatened consequences for his family if he refused.