Telangana principal stabbed 27 times by former students in brutal cash robbery

Two minors, both former students of Nagarjuna School principal Roopa Reddy, allegedly killed her at her residence in Telangana’s Nalgonda district to steal money, police said.Nalgonda SP Sharath Chandra Pawar said police formed five teams and examined nearly 70 CCTV camera recordings to crack the case.A key breakthrough came after investigators learnt that Roopa Reddy had addressed someone as “Babu” during her last conversation with her aunt. Police found that she commonly used the same term while addressing school students, prompting investigators to focus on them.The school remained closed for four days after the murder. When it reopened, police identified and questioned 13 students who were absent. Five of them were Class 10 students. Two students were found to be spending money lavishly, raising suspicion. During questioning, police reportedly found Rs 1.54 lakh in cash with one of the minors. He allegedly told police that his parents had given him the money. However, investigators noticed bloodstains on the currency notes and sent them for forensic examination. The blood was subsequently confirmed to be that of Roopa Reddy, police said.According to the probe, one of the accused had earlier stayed in the school hostel and was reportedly fond of alcohol and motorcycles. Roopa Reddy had allegedly found cash and a phone in his bag, reprimanded him and shifted him from the hostel to day-scholar status. Police said this had led to resentment against her. Investigators also found that one of the accused had travelled to Goa about a month before the murder and was allegedly looking for ways to make money. Five days before the incident, he conducted a recce of Roopa Reddy’s house after learning that school fee collections could be kept there.On August 11, after Roopa Reddy returned home from school, the two minors scaled the compound wall and entered the house wearing masks. During the incident, one of the accused allegedly lost his mask, allowing Roopa Reddy to recognise him.Police allege that the accused then attacked Roopa Reddy repeatedly with a knife, stabbing her 27 times, before taking her mobile phone and cash and fleeing the scene.Police have recovered Rs 1.54 lakh in cash, an iPhone and Roopa Reddy’s mobile phone from the accused.As the accused are minors, police said they would be produced before the Juvenile Justice Court.SP Sharath Chandra Pawar said the investigation had established that the accused were students who had previously been taught by Roopa Reddy.- EndsPublished On: Aug 19, 2026 22:07 IST