Police in India's Telangana state have arrested two students in relation to the killing of a 48-year-old school principal who was discovered with multiple stab wounds at her home in August.
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 away in Hyderabad, raised concerns when his calls went unanswered. Authorities formed multiple investigative teams to examine available evidence, including security camera recordings, forensic material, and fingerprints, while conducting interviews with over 80 individuals in connection with the incident.
According to police statements, a significant breakthrough came from analysing Reddy's final telephone call with her aunt, during which a distinctive word was reportedly heard before the line went silent. This clue prompted investigators to focus their attention on students at the school. Police identified five Grade 10 students who had been absent around the time of the incident and narrowed their focus to two individuals who were observed displaying unusual spending patterns and hosting social gatherings.
Following interrogation, the two arrested students allegedly confessed to planning a theft at the principal's residence. The investigation revealed that the students had previously faced disciplinary action from Reddy after cash and a mobile phone were discovered among their belongings in the school hostel. According to police accounts, the suspects spent several days planning the operation and obtained a knife and gloves beforehand. During the alleged attempted theft, one student's face covering reportedly shifted, leading to recognition by the principal, after which the fatal attack occurred.
Authorities recovered approximately Rs. 154,000 in cash, an iPhone purchased with stolen funds, and the victim's mobile phone. Police indicated that the suspects attempted to dispose of evidence and subsequently travelled to Goa following the incident.
