The disciplinary authorities of Dianjiang county, Chongqing municipality, have launched an investigation after a man was beaten and injured by three officials of a local court, Beijing Times reported.

Xu Shitao, a businessman, was sued by a construction materials supplier last year for not paying about 119,900 yuan ($19,570) for building materials, which the Dianjiang County People's Court ordered him to pay.

Later, the supplier applied for compulsory enforcement after Xu again failed to pay.

Xu did not appear at the court on Jan 29 - the date on which he had agreed to pay 20,000 yuan - so the three officials went to Xu's home to take him to the court. Xu said he was beaten and injured by the three, suffering breaks of his lumbar vertebrae and three ribs.

Gao Linping, the president of the court, admitted the attack took place and said the three officials had been suspended from work, adding the court will publicize its investigation results as soon as possible.