Hyderabad police probe fatal stabbing of auto‑rickshaw driver amid city’s recent killings

Hyderabad police have opened an investigation after a 45‑year‑old auto‑rickshaw driver was found dead with multiple stab wounds in the city's Banjara Hills area on Tuesday. The incident marks the second homicide recorded in the capital in a single day, prompting heightened alert among law‑enforcement agencies.

According to NDTV, investigators are canvassing the neighbourhood, questioning witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage to piece together the sequence of events that led to the driver’s death. The victim, whose name has not been released, was reportedly attacked while waiting for passengers during the early evening hours. Police have not yet disclosed any arrests or identified a suspect, and the motive remains unclear.

The back‑to‑back killings have revived concerns about a perceived rise in violent crime in Hyderabad, a city that has traditionally enjoyed a reputation for relative safety compared with other major Indian metros. Over the past year, the city has seen a modest uptick in reported assaults and thefts targeting transport workers, a trend that transport unions attribute to increasing competition and the growing use of ride‑hailing apps. Such incidents often lead to calls for stronger protective measures for drivers, who frequently work long hours and operate in isolated locations.

In similar cases, Hyderabad police typically employ a combination of forensic analysis, digital tracing of mobile devices, and coordination with local neighborhoods to locate potential suspects. The rapid response to this latest murder suggests that authorities are keen to prevent a further erosion of public confidence in safety, especially among daily‑wage commuters who rely on auto‑rickshaws for affordable transport.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have urged anyone with information to come forward. Community leaders have also appealed for calm, emphasizing that isolated incidents should not define the city’s overall security landscape.