Bizman torture claim hearing adjourned to Dec. 12

HYDERABAD: The two-judge bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice C.V. Bhasker Reddy on Thursday adjourned to December 12 the hearing of a writ petition seeking the Enforcement Directorate to examine allegations of torture and use of third-degree methods on businessman K. Chander. The petitioner, the head of Chemphar Ltd, also challenged Rule 6 of the prevention of Money Laundering Rules as unconstitutional. The office of the petitioner was affected by the search and seizure of property, in furtherance of a complaint lodged by CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Chander alleged that on September 16 “he was given multiple blows and slaps on his ear, which resulted in profound hearing loss in his ear” and also affected the vision in his right eye. He underwent treatment at Gandhi Hospital and his discharge certificates state a history of trauma to both ears. He was also advised to undergo surgery. The petitioner alleged continuous violation of his fundamental rights. The rules which provide for arrest without recording grounds, he said, are not only in violation of fundamental rights, but also in violation of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.