Hyderabad: Five days have passed since Khaja Moizuddin, a senior advocate who was fighting against the encroachment of waqf land, was murdered in the guise of a road accident, but the two prime suspected accused Mujahid Alam Khan and his father, Mahabub Alam Khan, were not arrested till date.
Moizuddin was hit by an SUV at 5.45 am on May 23. Critically injured, he succumbed in a hospital at 12.12 pm on the same day. The Nampally police altered charges against the SUV driver from an attempt to murder to murder. On May 24, the police claimed to have picked the father son duo from Bengaluru and brought them to Abids ACP office for questioning. “Since then, the police have been giving the conspirators VIP treatment,” AIMIM MLA Mohd Majid Hussain said.
Police officials confirmed with Deccan Chronicle that the two prime suspected accused were brought to the police station every day and let off in the evening without effecting their arrest. Telangana DGP C.V. Anand on Tuesday said no political angle exists in Moizuddin’s murder, and said Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar will soon share full details of the case. However, There was no official briefing of the murder and progress of investigation so far by the city police nor did they arrest the father son duo
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, V. Raghunath, Telangana Bar Council member, said: “The death of advocate Moizuddin was a targeted killing. It’s not an accident. He was killed to stop his fighting against the waqf land encroachments. I demand an immediate investigation by an SIT and the swift arrest of all accused.”
The victim’s family, Raghunath said, is facing severe threats from the accused, but no protection was provided for Moinuddin’s son, M.S. Farhan, and his family.
Sadat Siddiqui, a Supreme Court lawyer, criticised the police for not making the status of the case public despite gathering strong evidence against the accused.
“Police have strong evidence against Mujahid and Mahbub, following the confession of SUV driver Vinay Goud, a member of ‘Supari Gang’, that Mujahid had offered `10-crore land to eliminate the senior advocate. They also have documentary evidence to show that the SUV, which was used in the murder, was sold and bought back six months ago in the name of a member of the Alam family.”
The murder has shaken the legal fraternity and caused widespread public outrage. Various associations representing advocates, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Telangana High Court legal fraternity and other advocates’ bodies, have condemned the incident. “Advocates abstained from court work on May 25 as a mark of protest and solidarity, but there is still no official confirmation from the police department,” Siddiqui said.
“The police should have issued a formal press note at the earliest, explaining the status of the case, the role of each accused, and whether the accused have been produced before the court, whether police custody or judicial remand was obtained,” he said.
Another leading Bar Council member said the killing of an advocate, who was reportedly pursuing sensitive waqf-related cases, has raised serious concerns about the safety of lawyers, the rule of law and the ability of citizens to fight powerful interests through legal means.
“A fair investigation does not require silence; it requires lawful transparency. A formal status note will not prejudice the investigation. On the contrary, it will restore public confidence and demonstrate that the case is being handled without delay, pressure or compromise,” he said.
The Bar Council member also insisted that the state government and the Telangana Waqf Board must break their silence on the larger allegations surrounding the waqf properties and educational institutions associated with Mahbub Alam Khan and Mujahid Alam Khan, such as Anwar-ul-Uloom College, Mumtaz Yar-ud-Daula/Mumtaz College and Madrasa-e-Aiza.
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