Lawyer probing waqf land encroachment run over by SUV in Hyderabad, murder suspected
Police examined CCTV footage from outside his house in Shanti Nagar, which allegedly shows the SUV hitting Moizuddin and flinging him into the air.
Police examined CCTV footage from outside his house in Shanti Nagar, which allegedly shows the SUV hitting Moizuddin and flinging him into the air. Well-known senior lawyer Khaja Moizuddin died after he was allegedly mowed down by a speeding SUV outside his house in Masab Tank on Saturday morning. The 63-year-old was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to severe injuries.
The incident comes amid allegations that the lawyer had received death threats over anti-encroachment cases he was handling.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rakshita Murthy said that while the incident initially appeared to be a hit-and-run accident, police are now investigating it as murder. A case has been registered at Nampally Police Station.
“The SUV appears to have deliberately hit him and fled from the spot. The advocate had come out of his house to go swimming, as was his daily routine. He put his bag in the car and was about to get into the driver’s seat when he was hit by the SUV outside his house. We have received a complaint from his family stating that he had faced threats regarding his legal cases related to encroachment of waqf properties,” she said.
Police examined CCTV footage from outside his house in Shanti Nagar, which allegedly shows the SUV hitting Moizuddin and flinging him into the air. He fell several feet away and remained motionless before passersby found him and alerted his family.
His son, Farhan, also an advocate, said his father had received threats and intimidation from several persons against whom he was fighting cases involving the alleged illegal occupation, encroachment and private registration of vast stretches of waqf properties in Malakpet, Mallepalli and on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
“It was definitely a pre-planned attack. He was attacked physically at least six times outside his office or mosque in the past few years. Some of the encroachers have sent messages that they are willing to pay crores to my father to withdraw the cases. They asked him to take the money and shift to Dubai where he will be safe. They threatened that if my father continues to fight the cases, they cannot guarantee his safety. I have given names of persons we suspect are involved in the waqf cases who could be linked to this murder,” he said.
Tension prevailed in Masab Tank as advocates and residents gathered to protest the alleged murder. Telangana High Court advocates condemned the incident and demanded a thorough investigation.
“He was fighting against land grabbers and encroachers to protect waqf properties. This appears to be a pre-planned attack. We demand the harshest punishment for those involved,” advocate C Prabhakar said.
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