Hyderabad advocate killed in SUV hit: Waqf land dispute suspected motive
Synopsis
A 35-year veteran of the Telangana High Court was allegedly mowed down by a speeding SUV outside his Hyderabad home — and what first looked like a hit-and-run is now a murder probe with Waqf land disputes at its centre. His son says his father had been attacked five times before and received a 'last warning' months ago. The case raises urgent questions about the safety of advocates handling sensitive land litigation.
Key Takeaways
Khaja Moizuddin , a senior Telangana High Court advocate with 35 years of practice, was killed in Hyderabad on 23 May .
A speeding Scorpio SUV allegedly rammed him near his residence in the Masab Tank area and fled the scene.
Police reclassified the case from hit-and-run to murder after reviewing CCTV footage and the family's complaint.
DCP Rakshitha Krishna Murthy said preliminary investigations point to persons linked to Waqf land disputes in Malakpet .
Moizuddin's son Farhan alleged his father had been attacked five times before and had received a 'last warning' from a suspect months ago.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and the Telangana High Court Advocates' Association have condemned the killing and demanded swift arrests.
A senior Telangana High Court advocate, Khaja Moizuddin, was killed on Saturday, 23 May in the Masab Tank area of Hyderabad after a speeding Scorpio SUV allegedly rammed him from behind as he was getting into his car near his residence. Police are now treating the incident as a targeted murder, with preliminary investigations pointing to disputes over Waqf land as a suspected motive.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, Moizuddin was standing near his vehicle when the SUV struck him and sped away, throwing him onto the road with grievous injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds. The case was initially registered as a hit-and-run, but scrutiny of CCTV footage and a formal complaint filed by the family prompted investigators to reclassify it as a murder case.
Waqf Land Disputes at the Centre of Probe
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rakshitha Krishna Murthy told reporters that the preliminary probe pointed to the possible involvement of persons linked to disputes over Waqf lands in Malakpet and other parts of Hyderabad. The family of Moizuddin named two individuals allegedly connected to legal battles he had been handling related to alleged encroachments on Waqf property. Special teams have been formed to trace the SUV and identify the accused.
Family Alleges Repeated Threats and Prior Attacks
Moizuddin's son, Farhan, who is also a practising advocate, told reporters that his father had received threats from two individuals allegedly involved in Waqf land encroachment. Farhan alleged that his father had been attacked five times in the past, and that one of the suspects had visited Moizuddin's office a few months ago and issued what Farhan described as a 'last warning' regarding the legal cases being handled by him. Moizuddin had been practising at the High Court and City Civil Court for nearly 35 years.
Condemnation from Bar Association and Political Leaders
The Telangana High Court Advocates' Association condemned the killing and demanded that the Director General of Police and the Hyderabad Police Commissioner constitute a dedicated special team to trace and prosecute the culprits at the earliest. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi also condemned the murder, calling Moizuddin a 'brave advocate' and demanding the arrest of the 'main mastermind and assailants.' Owaisi visited the family's residence to offer condolences and posted on X: 'We stand with his son Advocate Farhan and the family.'
What Happens Next
Police special teams are actively tracking the suspect SUV and working to identify and apprehend those responsible. The case is expected to draw wider scrutiny given the alleged nexus between Waqf land encroachment disputes and targeted violence against legal professionals. The Advocates' Association has indicated it will press for a swift judicial process once arrests are made.
Point of View
Not a policing gap. The Waqf land encroachment angle adds a politically sensitive layer that could slow the investigation if not insulated from interference. The bar association's demand for a special team is the minimum; what the case actually requires is a time-bound charge-sheet and credible witness protection for the family.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Khaja Moizuddin?
Khaja Moizuddin was a senior advocate who had been practising at the Telangana High Court and City Civil Court in Hyderabad for nearly 35 years. He was allegedly killed in a targeted SUV attack near his residence in the Masab Tank area on 23 May.
What is the suspected motive behind the killing?
Police suspect the killing is linked to disputes over Waqf land in Malakpet and other areas of Hyderabad. Moizuddin had reportedly been handling legal cases related to alleged encroachments on Waqf property, and his family named two individuals connected to those disputes as suspects.
How did the attack happen?
According to police, Moizuddin was getting into his car near his residence when a speeding Scorpio SUV allegedly rammed him from behind and fled. He was thrown onto the road, suffered grievous injuries, and later died in hospital.
Has anyone been arrested?
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made. Police have formed special teams to trace the suspect SUV and identify and apprehend the accused.
What action have authorities and public figures demanded?
The Telangana High Court Advocates' Association has demanded that the Director General of Police and the Hyderabad Police Commissioner constitute a dedicated special team to trace and prosecute the culprits. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has also demanded the arrest of the 'main mastermind and assailants' behind the killing.
