Hyderabad: Police arrested two Class 10 students in the Nagarjuna School principal murder case after identifying them as the alleged killers of principal Rupa Reddy in Kondamallepally.
Investigators concluded that the accused were students whom Rupa Reddy had taught at the school in Nalgonda district. Police alleged that the students had become addicted to ganja and spending money on leisure activities. Investigators identified robbery as the motive for the killing.
The attack took place at around 6 pm on August 11, according to the information released in the case. Police said the accused entered Rupa Reddy’s house before she returned from school. They allegedly climbed over a wall to gain access to the premises.
Nagarjuna School principal murder planned before her arrival
According to investigators, the students entered the house and hid in the kitchen before Rupa Reddy arrived. When the principal returned, she unlocked the house and went inside, unaware that the accused were allegedly hiding there.
She later freshened up and entered her bedroom. At that point, police said, the students allegedly approached her from behind and attacked her with a knife. Investigators said Rupa Reddy suffered 27 stab wounds during the attack.
After the killing, the accused allegedly took ₹2 lakh from the principal’s handbag and fled with the money. Police subsequently began investigating the Nagarjuna School principal murder and worked to identify those responsible.
Students allegedly spent stolen money in Hyderabad
Investigators alleged that the two students travelled to Hyderabad after taking the ₹2 lakh. Police said they spent the stolen money on leisure activities in the city. The accused also allegedly took precautions to avoid suspicion and tried to keep themselves from being captured by CCTV cameras.
Despite those efforts, investigators eventually identified the two students and arrested them. Police said the investigation established that both accused were Class 10 students connected to the school where Rupa Reddy served as principal.
The Nagarjuna School principal murder case had initially raised questions over the identity of the attackers and their motive. Investigators later linked the killing to the alleged theft of money from Rupa Reddy’s handbag.
Police concluded that the students entered her home before her arrival, waited inside and attacked her after she went into the bedroom. The two students were subsequently taken into custody in connection with the killing and theft.