HYDERABAD: The son of senior advocate Khaza Moizuddin, who was allegedly run over by an SUV outside his residence in Hyderabad on Saturday morning, has claimed that there had been at least five earlier attempts on his father’s life and linked the killing to his legal battle against alleged encroachment of waqf properties.
Moizuddin, 63, died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital hours after he was allegedly hit by a speeding Scorpio near his residence in Shanti Nagar, close to Masab Tank.
According to police, the incident took place around 5.30am when the advocate stepped out of his house to leave for a swimming session. As he was about to enter his car, a green Scorpio SUV without a registration number allegedly rammed into him from behind at high speed, throwing him several feet away before fleeing the spot.
Locals alerted the family, after which Moizuddin was first shifted to Mahavir Hospital and later moved to another private hospital in Abids, where he succumbed to his injuries around 12.30pm.
Videos purportedly showing the SUV hitting the advocate have since gone viral on social media.
Speaking to reporters after his father’s death, Moizuddin’s son Mohammed Farhan, also an advocate, alleged that the killing was a “targeted murder” linked to ongoing waqf property disputes.
"My father was an advocate in the high court of Telangana and city civil court, other courts for the past 35 years. I am also a practicing advocate for the past eight years. So this is an issue in respect of two prime accused, Mujahid Alam Khan and Mehboob Alam Khan, against whom my father has been fighting cases. They are waqf grabbers and waqf encroachers," Mohammed Farhan said
“My father was fighting cases against people who were trying to privatise waqf educational institution properties through private trusts. He believed these properties should remain for public benefit and opposed their misuse,” Farhan added.
He further claimed that the family had been facing threats for years and that multiple attempts had earlier been made on Moizuddin’s life.
“There were at least five prior attempts on my father’s life. Earlier, he was attacked at his office in Gunfoundry. Around three years ago, another attack happened near a mosque close to our house in the early morning hours,” he alleged.
Farhan also claimed that his father had repeatedly received threat calls and pressure to withdraw the cases.
“Through mediators, messages were sent asking him to take money, compromise and walk away from the cases. Six months ago, I was also threatened at my office in Himayatnagar,” he said.
He alleged that certain influential individuals linked to waqf property disputes were behind the attack and warned that if anything happened to him or other family members, those persons should be held responsible.
Police, however, said investigations were still at a preliminary stage and no conclusions had yet been drawn regarding the motive or involvement of any specific individuals.
Deputy commissioner of police Rakshita Krishna Murthy said a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita had been registered based on the complaint filed by the victim’s son.
“The complaint mentions previous threats and attacks. We are verifying all those claims and gathering further evidence. Four to five special teams have been formed to trace the accused, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined,” the DCP said.
The killing triggered outrage among sections of the legal fraternity and political leaders.
The Telangana High Court Advocates’ Association condemned the murder and urged the police to constitute a special investigation team to ensure swift arrests.
Telangana Bar Council member V Raghunath demanded police protection for the advocate’s family and called for speedy implementation of the Telangana Advocates’ Protection Bill.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the killing, saying he personally knew Moizuddin and demanding immediate arrest of the “mastermind and assailants” behind the attack.
In a statement, AIMIM alleged that the advocate had been receiving threats over his efforts to protect waqf properties and said supporters and family members believed the killing was part of a larger conspiracy.
Police said all angles, including personal rivalry, professional disputes and the allegations made by the family, are being investigated.
(With agency inputs)
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