Two Class 10 Students Apprehended for Murder of School Principal in Nalgonda

Police in Nalgonda district have apprehended two Class 10 students in connection with the murder of private school principal Roopa Reddy, who was found stabbed to death at her home on August 11.

Investigators said the juveniles targeted Reddy's house believing she had a large amount of cash from school fee collections. The principal, who was alone at home, was stabbed 27 times after catching one of the boys inside her residence.

A crucial lead in the investigation came from Reddy's last phone conversation with her aunt, during which she uttered the word "babu" before the call disconnected. As the term is commonly used to address students, police began questioning people connected to the school, including staff and students.

The probe gathered pace when investigators noticed two Class 10 students suddenly spending large amounts of money and partying with friends after the incident. Nalgonda Superintendent of Police Sharat Chandra Pawar confirmed that both juveniles were taken into custody on Wednesday morning.

Police recovered Rs 1.51 lakh in cash and an iPhone from one of the boys. Although he initially claimed his parents gave him the funds, forensic testing detected traces of human blood on the recovered currency.

Investigators revealed that one of the juveniles had been reprimanded by Reddy about 15 days before the murder after staff caught him with a mobile phone and cash. Reddy had removed him from the hostel, restricted him to regular day classes, and alerted his parents.

Police stated the boy, who had a habit of consuming liquor and wanted quick money, planned the theft five days in advance with his classmate. The duo bought a knife and gloves and surveyed the area to identify CCTV camera locations.

On August 11, one boy climbed the compound wall and entered the house while the other waited outside. When Reddy spotted the intruder while on the phone, the juvenile attacked her with the knife to avoid being reported to the police. He then fled with around Rs 2.5 lakh in cash and threw his clothes into a drain.

Both juveniles have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and are being transferred to a juvenile home.