Row on Anwar-ul-Uloom College, Mallepally Land

Hyderabad: The murder of Supreme Court lawyer Khaja Moizuddin has triggered widespread outrage in legal circles; His family claimed that the murder was a pre-planned attack linked to his long legal battle against encroachment and private registration of Wakf properties in and around Hyderabad.

Lawyer Khaja Farhan, Moizuddin’s son, alleged that his father had received threats and intimidation from several people with whom he was pursuing cases related to disputed Waqf lands in Malakpet, Mallepally and other parts of the city.

According to the family, Moizuddin was pursuing complaints and cases related to alleged illegal occupation and privatization of Waqf properties, including land around Anwar-ul-Uloom Degree College in Mallepally, around 36 acres of land at Asmangadh in Malakpet, where educational institutions including Mumtaz College are located, and land parcels opposite the old Saifabad police station.

Sources said that some influential people have allegedly laid claim to these properties with the support of some people claiming to be mutawali (guardians). Many disputes regarding land parcels are reportedly pending before Foundation officials and the courts.

Sources stated that Moizuddin filed complaints and lawsuits with the authorities on behalf of private individuals and activists who allegedly opposed the alienation of waqf properties. His family suspected people connected to disputed land issues might be linked to the murder and said the names of some people were given to investigators.

At the same time, some people associated with rival political groups alleged that Moizuddin was once close to some influential figures, but later differences arose, following which he started initiating cases against them through private complainants and activists.

The murder drew harsh condemnation from the legal community, which described the murder as barbaric and an attack on the legal profession.

Condemning the incident, Telangana Bar Association member and Foundation committee member MA Mukheed said, “Disputes related to land or property should be decided by courts and legal authorities. Murder can never be a solution. This heinous act must be dealt with harshly in accordance with the law.”

“I demand immediate arrest of the culprits,” said Supreme Court lawyer Chikkudu Prabhakar.

The incident also reignited controversy over an earlier rape case filed against Moizuddin, which his supporters described as politically motivated. The FIR in this case was quashed by the Telangana High Court after it was found that the complaint was false.

Moizuddin’s hometown was Sangareddy district and his father worked in the revenue department. His son Farhan works as an advocate and advocate in the Telangana High Court. His father-in-law was also a lawyer.