Students Allegedly Kill Principal After Being Reprimanded by Her

Police have cracked the murder of 48-year-old private school principal Kallu Roopa Reddy in Kondamallepally within eight days, allegedly involving two Class 10 students from the same school. According to Nalgonda SP Sharath Chandra Pawar, the students, who were staying in the school hostel, had reportedly developed habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption. After Roopa Reddy reprimanded them in front of their parents, the students allegedly developed a grudge against her. Police said they also believed that a large amount of cash was kept at her residence and planned the murder with the intention of stealing the money. Investigators found that the teenagers had searched social media for information on making quick money, committing a murder and evading the law.

On August 11, when Roopa Reddy was alone at home, one of the students allegedly entered the house through the rear kitchen while the other kept watch nearby. Police said the principal was attacked with a knife and the accused allegedly took ₹2.5 lakh from the bedroom before fleeing. They reportedly switched off her phone and concealed it near the house, while discarding clothing and other items used during the crime. Police formed five special teams, examined around 70 CCTV recordings and questioned about 80 people. The suspects were detained on Wednesday while travelling on a two-wheeler, and ₹1.54 lakh was reportedly recovered from them. Police also seized the principal’s iPhone, the alleged murder weapon, gloves, masks and two mobile phones. The investigation indicated that the students had allegedly spent part of the stolen money on a costly mobile phone and had aspirations of leading a lavish lifestyle.