Hyderabad Lawyer Brutally Murdered by Elder Brother in Land Dispute; Lawyers Stage Angry Protests
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, a 34-year-old woman lawyer, G Swapna Kumari, was allegedly murdered by her elder brother, G Raju, due to a bitter property dispute. The tragic event unfolded on Wednesday at Kethireddypally in Moinabad, a suburb of Hyderabad, sparking outrage and leading to protests by fellow legal professionals.
Details of the Heinous Crime
The murder took place around 10 am on Wednesday when Swapna Kumari, a native of Kethireddypally who had been practising at the Chevella court, visited a four-acre ancestral land parcel along with her mother, Venkatamma, and a surveyor. According to police reports, Raju, a realtor from Moinabad, arrived at the scene with three associates in a car. In a brutal sequence of events, Raju allegedly rammed the car into Swapna, who was standing on the road. As she fell, he reportedly got out and attacked her with a stone, while his associate, Veeresh, slit her throat. Two other individuals, identified as Shiva and Sandeep from Moinabad, were also present during the attack.
Villagers rushed the severely injured Swapna Kumari to a nearby hospital in Moinabad, where she was declared brought dead. Police have seized a stone from the crime scene but are yet to recover the sharp-edged weapon used in the offence. A murder case has been registered under Section 103 (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Raju and others based on Venkatamma's complaint. Raju has reportedly confessed to the crime, stating that he was upset with Swapna for making attempt-to-murder allegations against him and killed her in a fit of rage for conducting the land survey against his wishes.
Lawyers Protest Alleged Police Negligence
Following the murder, a group of lawyers from the Chevella court reached the Moinabad police station and staged a protest, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. The lawyers then briefly protested on the Moinabad main road, causing traffic congestion in the area for about half an hour. Their primary allegation is that had the police acted promptly on Swapna Kumari's two earlier complaints about attempts on her life, she might still be alive today.
The lawyers expressed deep frustration, claiming that police inaction contributed to this preventable tragedy. They highlighted the systemic failures in handling such sensitive cases, where threats are not taken seriously until it is too late.
Background of Previous Complaints and Police Response
Swapna Kumari had filed two complaints prior to her murder, both linked to the ongoing land dispute with her brother. The first complaint was lodged by her mother, G Venkatamma, on November 6, 2025. It alleged that an unknown person driving a blue car hit Swapna's scooter at Mudimyala gate at 10:10 am that day. The second complaint was filed on January 12 at the Moinabad police station, stating that an unknown person driving a bulldozer tried to run her over in Moinabad. In both instances, Swapna suspected her brother Raju was behind the attempts.
Moinabad inspector G Pavan Kumar Reddy stated that FIRs were registered in both cases, but police investigations had not established Raju's role at the time. "We have registered FIRs in both the instances. Swapna alleged that her brother was involved in both the incidents and as per our investigation his role was not established. The cases are under investigation," the inspector said. This response has drawn criticism, with protesters arguing that more proactive measures could have averted the murder.
Eyewitness Account and Arrests
Venkatamma, who witnessed the murder, told police that along with her son Raju, his neighbour Veeresh, and their associates Shiva and Sandeep were present at the scene. She alleged that her son, along with these individuals, planned and committed the murder of her daughter. Police have since picked up Raju, Veeresh, Shiva, and Sandeep from Moinabad for further interrogation.
This case underscores the severe consequences of familial disputes over property, a common issue in many parts of India. It also raises critical questions about police responsiveness and the protection of individuals who report threats, particularly in high-stakes conflicts involving family members.
The legal community in Hyderabad remains vigilant, calling for stricter enforcement and quicker action in similar cases to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about safety, justice, and the role of law enforcement in safeguarding citizens from violent crimes rooted in personal disputes.
