School principal found dead with 27 stab wounds; Last phone call unveils murder plot, two class 10 students arrested

HYDERABAD: The death of a school principal in Nalgonda district of Telangana brought to light a tale of brutal murder. Ms Rupa Reddy (48), principal of Nagarjuna Grammar Concept School in Kondamallepally, was found murdered. The police arrested two Class 10 students in the incident.

Rupa Reddy was found murdered in her house in JB Colony on August 11. It was found that she was stabbed 27 times. About Rs 2.5 lakh was stolen from the house. Rupa's husband, Rajender Reddy, was in Hyderabad at the time of the incident. Rupa’s last phone call with her mother-in-law proved crucial to unveil the murder plot.

While talking, the mother-in-law heard Rupa shouting the name 'Babu'. This proved crucial. Rupa usually uses the word Babu to address students at her school. Her mother-in-law had told the police about this. Based on this statement, the police questioned students and staff at the school.

Meanwhile, the police found that two students of class 10 were partying at the time adn indulging in extravagance. The investigation team, feeling suspicious, took them into custody and questioned them. Rs 1.51 lakh and an iPhone were seized from them. Although the students said it was their parents' money, police arrested them while the forensic examination found blood stains on the currency notes.

The principal and school staff had earlier found a mobile phone and money from one of the students. The principal then decided to expel the student from the hostel and informed the child's parents. This is said to have provoked the duo to commit the heinous crime.

As per the police, the students had been monitoring Rupa for five days. They bought a knife and gloves and studied the locality where Rupa lived. They reached Rupa Reddy's house, avoiding places with CCTV cameras. One person climbed the wall of the house and entered while the other waited outside. The student entered the house and rummaged through the lockers for money when Rupa came in front of him. Police said the teen murdered her in fear of getting recognised. Police also said that after the murder, they threw the clothes into the drain to destroy evidence.