Police in India’s Telangana state have arrested two students over the killing of a 48-year-old school principal who was found with 27 stab wounds at her home.
Kallu Roopa Reddy, principal and director of Nagarjuna Public School in Nalgonda district, was found dead at her residence on August 12 after her husband, who was in Hyderabad, became concerned when she failed to answer his calls.
Police formed five teams and examined CCTV footage, forensic evidence, fingerprints and technical data while questioning more than 80 people.
According to police, a major clue emerged from Reddy’s final telephone conversation with her aunt, during which she was heard using the word “babu” shortly before her phone was switched off.
Investigators subsequently focused on students at the school and identified five Grade 10 students who had been absent. Police said two of them had recently been spending unusually large amounts of money and holding parties.
The two students were detained and allegedly confessed to planning a theft at the principal’s home.
Police said the students had previously been reprimanded by Reddy after cash and a mobile phone were discovered in their hostel bags. Their parents were informed and they were subsequently moved from the hostel to day-scholar status.
Investigators said the suspects planned the theft for several days and obtained a knife and gloves before the incident.
One student allegedly entered Reddy’s home and found Rs. 250,000 in cash. Police said his face covering slipped as he attempted to leave and the principal recognised him, after which she was stabbed 27 times.
The suspects allegedly fled with the money and attempted to conceal evidence, including blood-stained clothing. Police said they later travelled to Goa.
Authorities recovered Rs. 154,000 in cash, including some blood-stained currency notes, an iPhone allegedly purchased with the stolen money and the victim’s mobile phone.
Police also said the students had searched online for ways to make money quickly before allegedly carrying out the crime. (Newswire)
