Telangana School Principal Murder: Class 10 Students Stab K Roopa Reddy 27 Times Over Cash in Nalgonda; Detained
Two Class 10 students have been detained in connection with the murder of school principal Kallu Roopa Reddy in Nalgonda district, Telangana. Police allege that the teenagers targeted the principal’s home for cash and attacked her after she recognised one of them.
Telangana Police have detained two minor former students of a private school in connection with the murder of principal K Roopa Reddy, who was allegedly stabbed 27 times at her home in Nalgonda district. Investigators say the teenagers targeted the 48-year-old principal to steal cash and were traced after police found bloodstained currency notes in the possession of one of them, India Today reported.
The murder took place on August 11. Police formed five teams and examined footage from nearly 70 CCTV cameras as they tried to identify those responsible. Hyderabad Shocker: Man Kills Wife With Dumbbell in Telangana Over Suspicions of Infidelity.
How Police Traced the Suspects
A key breakthrough reportedly came from Roopa Reddy's final conversation with her aunt. During the call, she addressed someone as “Babu”, a term investigators learnt she commonly used for students at the school. This prompted police to examine students who had been absent around the time of the murder.
When the school reopened after a four-day closure, police identified 13 absent students and questioned them. Five were Class 10 students. Investigators then noticed that two of the teenagers appeared to be spending money unusually freely, raising suspicion. Telangana Horror: Pregnant YouTuber Stabbed to Death by Husband in Jagtial Allegedly Over Dowry, Probe Launched.
Blood Found on Rs 1.54 Lakh Cash
Police reportedly recovered Rs 1.54 lakh from one of the minors. The teenager allegedly told investigators that the money had been given to him by his parents. However, police noticed what appeared to be bloodstains on the currency notes.
The notes were sent for forensic examination. According to police, the blood was subsequently confirmed to be that of Roopa Reddy. Investigators also reportedly recovered an iPhone and Roopa Reddy's mobile phone from the accused.
Student Allegedly Held Grudge Against Principal
Police are investigating a possible motive linked to an earlier incident involving one of the teenagers. According to investigators, the student had previously stayed in the school's hostel. Roopa Reddy allegedly found cash and a mobile phone in his bag and reprimanded him before shifting him from hostel accommodation to day-scholar status.
Police suspect the incident may have contributed to resentment against the principal. Investigators also said the student had travelled to Goa about a month before the murder and was allegedly looking for ways to make money.
House Allegedly Reconnoitred Before Murder
Police allege that one of the students conducted a reconnaissance of Roopa Reddy's house about five days before the killing. Investigators believe he knew that money collected as school fees could be kept at the principal's residence, making the house a potential target.
On August 11, after Roopa Reddy returned home from school, the two teenagers allegedly entered the property after scaling the compound wall. They were reportedly wearing masks.
Principal Allegedly Stabbed 27 Times
According to the police version, one of the accused lost his mask during the attack, allowing Roopa Reddy to recognise him. Investigators allege that the teenagers then attacked her repeatedly with a knife, stabbing her 27 times. They allegedly took cash and mobile phones before fleeing the house. Roopa Reddy was later found dead at the residence.
Both Accused Are Minors
Police said the suspects are former students of the school and are both minors. They will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Court, according to Nalgonda Superintendent of Police Sharath Chandra Pawar.
The case remains under investigation, with police examining the movements of the teenagers, the alleged motive and the evidence recovered during the probe. The allegations against the minors have not been established by a court.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2026 12:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
