Hyderabad: Fresh details emerged in the murder of a woman lawyer in Rangareddy district, with investigators confirming that a long-standing family land dispute triggered the crime. Police established that the accused brother killed his sister by slitting her throat during a confrontation in Moinabad mandal.
The victim, Swapna, practised as a lawyer at the Chevella court and remained unmarried. She lived with her family in Kethireddypalli village under Moinabad. Her father, Shantaiah, had two daughters and a son. After his death, the family registered his 10 acres of land in the name of his wife, Venkatamma.
Later, the family transferred six acres to the son, Raju, while keeping four acres in the mother’s name. About a year ago, Raju allegedly registered those four acres in his own name without her knowledge.
Murder followed family land registration dispute in Moinabad
After complaints to police and revenue officials, authorities restored the disputed land to Venkatamma’s name. Meanwhile, tensions within the family increased over ownership and control of the land.
During a land survey at the field, Swapna accompanied her mother. At that time, Raju arrived with a few others and attacked her. He slit her throat and fled from the spot. Locals rushed her to a hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Police also noted that Swapna had earlier accused her brother of plotting an attack on her. Last month, she suffered a scooter accident that fractured her leg. She later told police that Raju was responsible. Meanwhile, Raju reportedly told friends that Swapna harassed him over land matters and filed an attempt-to-murder case against him.