Nearly 13 years on, Hyderabad pavement cobbler murder remains unsolved

Nearly 13 years after pavement cobbler P Ashok was shot dead while sleeping in Hyderabad's Leelanagar, police have neither identified the killer nor established a motive despite an extensive investigation involving multiple teams, forensic analysis, and the questioning of nearly 250 people.

Hyderabad: On the night of August 24, 2013, a single gunshot ended the life of P Ashok, a 62-year-old cobbler sleeping on a pavement at Leelanagar in SR Nagar. Nearly thirteen years later, the murder remains undetected, with investigators never establishing either the killer’s identity or the motive.

Ashok, who repaired footwear on a roadside, had been sleeping at the spot for barely two weeks. He had no known enemies, no criminal record, and led a largely lonely life. His estranged wife and two sons lived in Nizamabad.

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The murder prompted an extensive investigation. Ten teams, including personnel from the Central Crime Station (CCS) and the Task Force, were assigned to the case. Ballistic experts concluded that the fatal shot was fired from a country-made .32 calibre pistol. The bullet was old, and investigators believed the assailant fired from close range and from an elevated angle.

The discovery of the empty cartridge at the scene ruled out the possibility that the shot had been fired from inside a moving vehicle. Investigators also believed Ashok did not die instantly but succumbed to excessive bleeding.

Police explored multiple leads. Two businessman brothers who admitted passing through Leelanagar shortly after midnight were questioned but were not linked to the crime. Officers also verified the whereabouts of licensed .32 pistol holders, questioned persons with previous firearm-related cases and interrogated members of criminal gangs operating in the area.

The police analysed CCTV footage from a nearby apartment complex. While it confirmed Ashok’s daily routine, including visits to a nearby wine shop, the murder occurred beyond the camera’s range.

A special team travelled to Nizamabad to question Ashok’s family. Investigators found no family disputes or personal enmity that could explain the killing. Police also established that Ashok had never been involved in criminal activity or frequent quarrels.

Despite these efforts, the investigation reached a dead end.

A police officer who supervised the investigation said every possible angle had been explored. “We worked the case extensively. Teams travelled across the State and questioned nearly 250 persons. Despite sustained efforts, we could neither identify the killers nor establish a motive,” the officer said.

More than a decade after the seemingly random killing, the murder of the pavement cobbler remains one of Hyderabad’s enduring unsolved cases.