Waqf Land Dispute Suspected Behind Advocate Killing

Hyderabad, The Hyderabad Police launched a hunt for four suspects who were allegedly in the speeding SUV used for the targeted killing of Telangana High Court advocate Khaja Moizuddin.

Four special teams were on the lookout for the suspects who had been reportedly identified in the CCTV footage.

Preliminary investigation by police indicates that they used the vehicle without a number plate to attack the advocate on Saturday.

The CCTV footage also indicates that the suspects were lying in wait near the victim’s residence before hitting him as he was getting into his car.

Moizuddin was killed near his residence in the Masab Tank area in the heart of the city.

According to police, Khaja Moizuddin was getting into his car near his residence around 4.45 a.m. when a speeding SUV hit him from behind. The Scorpio sped away as the advocate was thrown on the road and suffered grievous injuries. He was shifted to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

It was initially suspected to be a hit-and-run case, but following the complaint by the family and after scanning the CCTV footage, police registered a case of murder with suspected links to cases relating to Waqf land.

Police believe that it was a well-planned attack, with the accused conducting a recce near the victim’s house for three days.

Moizuddin was a senior advocate practising in the High Court and City Civil Court for nearly 35 years.

Police suspect the involvement of persons linked to disputes over Waqf lands in Malakpet and other areas in Hyderabad.

The family of Moizuddin named two persons who are allegedly connected to legal battles handled by him related to alleged encroachments on Waqf lands.

Moizuddin’s son Farhan, who is also an advocate, told the media that his father had received threats from two individuals allegedly involved in the encroachment of Waqf lands.

Farhan told the media that his father had been attacked five times in the past. He claimed that one of the two individuals allegedly involved in the murder had visited his father’s office a few months ago and issued a ‘last warning’ regarding legal cases he was handling.