HC takes up case of "custodial torture" by DRI officials

The Gujarat High Court today sought an explanation from Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on the charges of custodial torture of an alleged gold smuggler against its officials.
The two-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court comprising Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala also issued notices to the Centre and the Gujarat government, directing them to file their replies.
The Gujarat High Court has also ordered to make the Union Finance Ministry and the customs department, parties to this proceeding.
The issue reached Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya when an organisation named 'Jan Mukti Morcha Against Corruption' wrote to him complaining about the torture case.

In the suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), amicus curae Hemang Shah alleged that Sanjay Patel was beaten up black and blue by DRI officials, though torture in custody is not permissible under the law.
"The suo motu petition states that a policy should be framed regarding interrogation in custody to prevent such cases of torture," Shah said.

The petition also recommended award of a compensation decided by the Gujarat government and the Central government.
In January this year, Sanjay Patel was arrested by DRI officials for allegedly smuggling 35 kg of gold worth Rs 10.59 crore in 14 consignments into the country by mixing it with other metals and passing it off as "gold ore concentrate".

When he was produced before the local court after his arrest, Patel complained that DRI deputy director Arvind Kumar and two other officials had beaten him up with wooden sticks.