A 63-year-old advocate, Khaza Moizuddin, who had been actively involved in legal battles concerning alleged encroachments on waqf properties, was fatally struck by an SUV driven by unidentified assailants outside his residence in Shanti Nagar on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 5:30 am when Moizuddin stepped out of his home to head for a swimming session. As he was about to enter his car, a green Scorpio SUV rammed into him from behind at high speed, throwing him nearly 20 feet away. The attackers fled the scene immediately.
Moizuddin sustained severe injuries and was initially taken to Mahavir Hospital before being transferred to a private hospital in Abids, where he succumbed to his injuries around 12:30 pm. His son, Mohammed Farhan, who is also an advocate, alleged that two city-based educationists were behind the killing. Farhan claimed that the murder was linked to ongoing legal disputes involving waqf properties. He stated, "My father has been fighting cases against them. The properties of three waqf educational institutions in the city are being managed through private trusts. My father opposed the privatisation of these public properties and maintained that they should be used for public benefit."
Previous Threats and Attacks
Farhan further revealed that there had been at least five previous attempts on Moizuddin's life. "Earlier, he was attacked at his office in Gunfoundry. Three years ago, a similar attack took place near a mosque close to our house during the early hours. He had also received threat calls. Through mediators, messages were repeatedly conveyed to him asking him to withdraw the cases, accept money, and walk away. Six months ago, I too was threatened at my office in Himayatnagar," he said.
Police Investigation
DCP Secunderabad, Rakshita Krishna Murthy, confirmed that five special teams have been formed to trace and arrest the culprits. "We have registered a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the complaint and allegations made by the victim's son. He has referred to previous attacks and threats, and we are verifying those claims while gathering further details. We have some leads regarding the assailants, and our teams are working on them," the DCP said.
Condolences and Demands for Action
The Telangana High Court Advocates' Association condemned the killing and expressed condolences to the bereaved family. The association urged the DGP and the Hyderabad police commissioner to constitute a special team to investigate the case and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted. Telangana Bar Council member V. Raghunath demanded the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the murder and sought police protection for the victim's family. "The advocate's family is facing threats, and adequate protection should be provided to them. The government should also expedite steps to enact the Telangana Advocates' Protection Bill," he said.
Mahesh Buddi, an assistant editor with The Times of India in Hyderabad, contributed to this report. He has been reporting on crime, courts, politics, transport, and civic issues for 18 years.
