Hyderabad, 20 August (H.S.): Telangana Police have cracked the murder case of Kallu Roopa Reddy, a school principal and director in Nalgonda district, with two Class 10 students allegedly being detained for their suspected involvement in the crime. The investigation revealed that the students had allegedly planned a robbery and that the killing occurred when the principal recognised one of them.

Roopa Reddy, who headed Nagarjuna Public School in Kondamallepally, was found dead at her residence on the morning of August 12. Her husband, who was in Hyderabad, became concerned after she stopped responding to his calls and alerted neighbours. The neighbours subsequently informed the police, who found her body at the house. She had suffered multiple stab injuries, with police later reporting 27 wounds.

Following the murder, police formed five teams and examined CCTV footage, forensic evidence, fingerprints, technical data and the movements of suspects. Investigators also questioned more than 80 people as they worked to establish the sequence of events.

A crucial breakthrough came from a seemingly insignificant detail. During her final phone conversation before the device was switched off, Roopa Reddy reportedly used the word “babu”. Investigators examined who she might have been referring to and began looking closely at students associated with the school.

Police subsequently questioned students individually and focused on five Class 10 students who had remained absent from school. Two of them allegedly attracted attention because they had suddenly begun spending large amounts of money and organising parties. The pair were detained on Wednesday morning and allegedly confessed during questioning, according to police.

Investigators suspect that resentment toward the principal may have contributed to the crime. Police said the students had earlier been reprimanded by Roopa Reddy after cash and a mobile phone were allegedly found in their hostel bags. Their parents were informed, following which they were reportedly shifted from hostel accommodation to day-scholar status.

The students allegedly spent about five days planning the robbery and conducting reconnaissance of the principal’s residence. Police said they bought a knife and gloves and took steps to conceal their identities.

On August 12, one of the students allegedly entered Roopa Reddy’s house wearing a monkey cap and gloves. Police said he found around Rs. 2.5 lakh in the bedroom and attempted to flee. However, the cap reportedly slipped, allowing Roopa Reddy to recognise him. Fearing that she could identify him, he allegedly attacked her with a knife.

After the murder, the accused allegedly took cash and attempted to conceal evidence by burying blood-stained clothes and the monkey cap. Police also said the students subsequently travelled to Goa.

During the investigation, police recovered Rs. 1.54 lakh in cash, including currency notes allegedly bearing blood stains, an iPhone reportedly purchased by one of the accused and Roopa Reddy’s mobile phone. Investigators also found that the accused had searched online for ways to make money quickly before carrying out their plan.

The investigation has provided police with a series of leads, including the students’ sudden spending, the evidence recovered from them and details from the victim’s final phone conversation. As the accused are minors, further proceedings will be conducted under the applicable juvenile justice framework. The investigation is continuing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar