HYDERABAD: A 56-year-old advocate was brutally stabbed to death in broad daylight in Champapet, Hyderabad, on Monday morning. The accused, Gulam Dastagir, a 49-year-old private electrician, was arrested by IS Sadan Police on Tuesday evening in connection with the murder.
The victim, Errabapu Esrayal, was attacked while returning home from a morning walk. The incident occurred around 8:50 AM near the residence of a neighbour in East Maruthi Nagar, just a short distance from Esrayal’s home. According to police, Dastagir stabbed the advocate in the chest with a knife and attempted to flee.
Local residents, including a man identified as Mallepovu Raju, intervened and rushed Esrayal to Apollo DRDO Hospital. However, the victim succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The police launched an investigation immediately after a complaint was lodged by the victim’s daughter, Drakshavalli, an assistant professor. Based on evidence and witness accounts, the accused was arrested the following day and sent to judicial remand.
Police recovered key evidence from the crime scene and the accused, including the knife used in the attack, the victim’s Honda Activa and helmet, and bloodstained clothing.
According to investigators, Dastagir had known the victim for some time and frequently carried out electrical repair work at his residence and a flat owned by the advocate at Srinivasa Nilayam Apartments in Champapet.
The motive for the murder appears to stem from a personal grudge. Police said Dastagir had developed an illicit relationship with the wife of a watchman working at the advocate’s apartment building. After the watchman and his family suddenly left Hyderabad, the accused suspected that Esrayal was behind their departure.
Officials stated that Dastagir had previously confronted the victim and demanded the watchman’s family be called back. Believing the advocate was responsible, the accused allegedly planned and executed the fatal attack.
The case is being closely supervised by Additional DCP T. Swamy and ACP Mohammed Ghouse. The investigation is being led by Inspector G. Nagaraju and Sub-Inspector D. Vijaya Kumar of IS Sadan Police Station.