The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Tuesday condemned the killing of Senior Advocate Khaja Moizuddin in Hyderabad, describing the incident as a “planned, brutal and shocking murder” that has raised serious concerns regarding the safety and security of advocates discharging their professional duties.
Noting that the legal profession formed an essential pillar of the justice delivery system, the Association stated that any act of violence against advocates strikes at the very foundation of the rule of law and undermines the administration of justice.
A statement issued by SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel said the incident had sent shockwaves across the legal fraternity and brought to the forefront concerns regarding the protection of advocates while handling sensitive litigation, property disputes and matters involving public interest and alleged encroachments.
An attack on an advocate was not merely an offence against an individual member of the Bar but constituted a direct assault on the institution of justice itself, observed the Association, adding that intimidation, violence and targeted attacks against legal practitioners undermined the independence of the Bar and adversely affected the justice delivery system.
The Association also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with them during the period of grief and trauma.
It urged the concerned law enforcement authorities to conduct a fair, impartial, expeditious and comprehensive criminal investigation, including examination of possible conspiracy and organised criminal involvement, and ensure that all perpetrators were identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law at the earliest.
Senior Advocate Khaja Moizuddin, who had been practising before the Telangana High Court and the City Civil Court for more than three decades, died after allegedly being run over by unidentified assailants in an SUV outside his residence at Masab Tank in Hyderabad on May 23. Investigating authorities are probing the incident from the angle of a premeditated and targeted homicide.
According to reports, CCTV footage purportedly showed a green Scorpio SUV without a registration number deliberately ramming into Moizuddin while he was entering his vehicle outside his residence. The 63-year-old later succumbed to the injuries sustained in the incident while undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Visuals of the incident subsequently circulated widely on social media platforms.
Family members have alleged that the murder may be linked to sensitive legal disputes and litigation concerning alleged encroachments and unauthorised occupation of waqf properties being handled by Moizuddin. His son has reportedly alleged that certain persons involved in the alleged encroachments had repeatedly threatened the family and attempted to pressure him into persuading his father to withdraw from such litigation.
He further alleged that multiple prior attempts had earlier been made on Moizuddin’s life. Based on a complaint lodged by his son, police have registered a criminal case and constituted Special Investigation Teams (SITs) to probe the larger conspiracy angle, including identification of the perpetrators, possible abettors and persons who may have facilitated the commission of the offence.
Moizuddin had earlier sought the grant of an arms licence, citing apprehension for his life and personal security, but the request was reportedly declined by the competent authorities.
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