<p>Alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is using third-degree methods on MLA and former minister D K Shivakumar, Congress MLC C M Lingappa has lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), seeking action against the central agency.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Lingappa said, "The ED officials are treating Shivakumar, who is being questioned in money-laundering case/s, as a terrorist from Pakistan. He (DKS) is being subjected to third-degree torture like late-night grilling, not providing him bare minimum facilities, including bed sheet and medicine, not allowing his relatives to meet him and putting him in a dark cell. He is being treated as a convict, not accused. All these amounts to blatant violation of human rights."</p>.<p>"Hence, I have lodged a human rights violation complaint with KSHRC on Friday, seeking action against ED investigating officer Monica Sharma and other officers of the agency," he said.</p>.<p>He alleged that the BJP-led Union government was using the ED to target its rivals.</p>.<p>Replying to a specific query, Lingappa said, "Reports that Siddaramaiah had plotted a conspiracy to corner Shivakumar are false and concocted. He cannot stoop such low, and that too against his party man."</p>.<p>The All India Congress Committee leaders have thrown their weight behind Shivakumar. The Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) had resolved to stand firmly in solidarity with him, Lingappa said.</p>
<p>Alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is using third-degree methods on MLA and former minister D K Shivakumar, Congress MLC C M Lingappa has lodged a complaint with the Karnataka Human Rights Commission (KSHRC), seeking action against the central agency.</p>.<p>Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, Lingappa said, "The ED officials are treating Shivakumar, who is being questioned in money-laundering case/s, as a terrorist from Pakistan. He (DKS) is being subjected to third-degree torture like late-night grilling, not providing him bare minimum facilities, including bed sheet and medicine, not allowing his relatives to meet him and putting him in a dark cell. He is being treated as a convict, not accused. All these amounts to blatant violation of human rights."</p>.<p>"Hence, I have lodged a human rights violation complaint with KSHRC on Friday, seeking action against ED investigating officer Monica Sharma and other officers of the agency," he said.</p>.<p>He alleged that the BJP-led Union government was using the ED to target its rivals.</p>.<p>Replying to a specific query, Lingappa said, "Reports that Siddaramaiah had plotted a conspiracy to corner Shivakumar are false and concocted. He cannot stoop such low, and that too against his party man."</p>.<p>The All India Congress Committee leaders have thrown their weight behind Shivakumar. The Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) had resolved to stand firmly in solidarity with him, Lingappa said.</p>