A long-running dispute over Waqf properties allegedly culminated in a meticulously planned contract killing, with Hyderabad Police arresting several accused, including prominent educationists and alleged hired killers, in connection with the murder of advocate Khaja Moizuddin.
Police said the killing was the result of a conspiracy allegedly hatched months in advance and executed for a contract amount of around Rs 15 lakh. Officials have named Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Vice President Mujahid Alam Khan and his father Mahaboob Alam Khan as the alleged masterminds behind the murder.
The Khans run a well-known education institute in Hyderabad.
The incident took place in the early hours of May 23 near Moizuddin’s residence in Masab Tank. According to police, the advocate had stepped out for his regular swimming session and was walking towards his parked vehicle at around 5.45 am when a speeding Mahindra Scorpio allegedly rammed into him deliberately.
The impact left him critically injured. He was first shifted to Mahaveer Hospital and later moved to UDAI Omni Hospital in Abids for advanced treatment. However, he succumbed to his injuries.
Following a complaint filed by his son, MS Farhan, Nampally Police registered a case and launched an extensive investigation.
Officials said CCTV footage played a crucial role in cracking the case. The footage allegedly showed a green Mahindra Scorpio without number plates waiting near the advocate’s residence before striking him and fleeing the scene.
Police said the investigation uncovered a bitter and prolonged dispute between the family of accused Mujahid Alam Khan and advocate Moizuddin over Waqf properties and management issues in the Malakpet and Lakdikapul areas.
Several civil, criminal and Waqf Tribunal cases were reportedly pending between the two sides for years. According to officials, the accused allegedly believed that Moizuddin’s active legal interventions were responsible for repeated setbacks in court proceedings and had caused them embarrassment.
Driven by this grudge, police alleged, Mujahid Alam Khan and his father Mahaboob Alam Khan decided to eliminate the advocate.
The conspiracy was allegedly planned with the assistance of associates Hassan Ali alias Chaous and Muneer, who coordinated with Kishan alias Pappu to arrange logistics and execute the operation.
Police said Rs 2 lakh was allegedly provided to procure the Scorpio vehicle used in the offence. Officials further claimed that the accused had been conducting surveillance on the advocate since January 2026, closely monitoring his daily routine and movements to identify the most suitable opportunity to carry out the attack.
On May 23, the plan was allegedly put into action when the vehicle was driven at high speed into the advocate.
After the murder, the accused allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by removing identifying features from the vehicle and dispersing to different locations.
Police said technical evidence helped trace Kishan alias Pappu to Panipat in Haryana, where he was arrested on May 27. During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed details of the conspiracy and the roles played by the other accused.
Acting on these leads, police teams conducted multiple operations and arrested the remaining accused from various locations in Hyderabad on May 29.
Among those arrested are Abhijeeth alias Nani, who allegedly drove the Scorpio used in the attack; Dighan Vinay, who is accused of arranging the vehicle and coordinating the hired killers; Vikram Aditya alias Chintu, who allegedly acted as a link between the conspirators; and Manideep alias Pogo Nani, who police said accompanied the accused during the execution of the crime.
Police have seized the Mahindra Scorpio allegedly used in the murder, cash amounting to Rs 10.10 lakh, and several mobile phones believed to be connected to the conspiracy.
Officials said that efforts are continuing to trace other absconding accused and gather additional technical and documentary evidence linked to the case.
The fallout from the case has also reached the political arena.
TPCC Disciplinary Committee Chairman and MP Mallu Ravi announced the expulsion of Mujahid Alam Khan from the Congress party following his arrest in the murder case.
Mallu Ravi said Hyderabad Police had arrested Alam Khan and his son in connection with the killing of advocate Khaja Moizuddin. Stating that the allegations were of an extremely serious nature, he said the party’s disciplinary committee decided to remove Alam Khan from the organisation with immediate effect.
The investigation into the high-profile murder remains ongoing, with police probing the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and the involvement of other suspects.
– Ends
Published By:
Sahil Sinha
Published On:
May 30, 2026 11:55 IST
