Hyderabad: A 34-year-old woman advocate was brutally murdered by her brother during a dispute over family property in Moinabad of Rangareddy district on Wednesday, police said.
The victim, Swapna, was a practising lawyer at the Chevella Court. According to police, the incident occurred at Kethireddypally village under the limits of Moinabad Police Station.
Police said Swapna had gone to a farmland where a panchayat was underway to settle a long-pending property dispute within the family. During the discussions, an argument broke out between the siblings.
As the dispute escalated, Swapna’s brother allegedly attacked her with a knife, stabbing her on the neck in a fit of rage. She sustained grievous injuries and collapsed at the spot.
Locals immediately shifted her to a nearby private hospital. Doctors, however, declared her dead on arrival.
Advocate murder triggers protests and court boycott
Following the murder, the accused fled the scene. Police formed special teams and launched a manhunt to trace and arrest him.
Investigators registered a murder case and began collecting evidence to establish the exact sequence of events. Senior officers supervised the investigation.
The killing sparked outrage among advocates across the district. Lawyers at Chevella Court and neighbouring courts boycotted proceedings in protest.
A large number of advocates gathered at the Moinabad police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and strict punishment. As part of the protest, they also blocked the Hyderabad–Bijapur national highway for several hours, causing traffic disruptions.
Senior police officials reached the protest site and assured the legal fraternity of swift action. After receiving assurances on the arrest and legal action, the advocates partially withdrew their protest.