Telangana Principal Murder: How Lavish Spending Led Police To Two Class 10 Students

A spending spree by two Class 10 students helped Telangana police uncover the alleged murder of a school principal in Nalgonda district. Kallu Roopa Reddy, 48, principal and director of Nagarjuna Public School in Kondamallepally, was found dead at her home on August 12 with 27 stab injuries. Police have arrested two students in connection with the case.

Roopa Reddy’s husband was in Hyderabad when he tried calling her but received no response. He contacted neighbours, who alerted the police. Officers reached the residence and found her body.

Police subsequently launched a detailed probe, deploying five teams and examining CCTV footage, forensic material, fingerprints, technical information and the movements of suspects. More than 80 people were questioned.

‘Babu’ clue led police to school students

Investigators found an important clue in Roopa Reddy’s final conversation with her aunt. Police said she had used the word “babu” shortly before the call ended.

Senior police officer Sharath Chandra Pawar said investigators tried to establish who she might have been referring to. The inquiry eventually led them towards students at the school.

Police questioned students individually and identified five Class 10 students who had been absent from school. Two of them attracted attention after investigators noticed that they had recently begun spending heavily and holding parties.

The two were detained on Wednesday morning and allegedly admitted to their involvement in the killing during questioning, Pawar said.

Principal had reprimanded the accused

Police said Roopa Reddy had earlier taken action against the two students after cash and a mobile phone were found in their hostel bags.

She informed their parents about the incident, after which the students were shifted from the hostel to day-scholar status.

Investigators suspect the disciplinary action may have fuelled resentment towards the principal and played a role in the alleged murder.

Students allegedly planned robbery for five days

According to the police, the students spent five days preparing for the robbery and surveyed Roopa Reddy’s house before carrying out their plan.

They allegedly purchased a knife and gloves, intending to avoid being identified. One of the students entered the house wearing a monkey cap and gloves and reportedly found ₹2.50 lakh in the bedroom.

As he tried to leave with the money, the cap slipped off. Police said Roopa Reddy recognised him, prompting the student to allegedly attack her with the knife. She suffered 27 stab wounds.

The students allegedly took the cash after the killing and later tried to get rid of evidence by burying blood-stained clothes and the monkey cap.

Accused allegedly spent money after murder

The teenagers allegedly travelled to Goa after the incident, while their sudden spending and partying drew the attention of investigators.

Police recovered ₹1.54 lakh from the accused, including some notes that allegedly had blood stains. They also recovered an iPhone reportedly purchased by the students and Roopa Reddy’s mobile phone.

Investigators further found that the students had searched a video-sharing platform for information on making money quickly before allegedly carrying out the plan.

The two students remain accused in the case, and the investigation is underway.