Principal Stabbed 27 Times: How Two Class 10 Students Were Caught

Two Class 10 students have been accused of murdering their school principal in Telangana after an alleged robbery plan turned fatal when she recognised one of them.

A school principal’s murder has shocked Kondamallepally, Telangana.

48-year-old Kallu Roopa Reddy, principal and director of Nagarjuna Public School, was found dead inside her home on 11 August 2026, with 27 stab wounds.

Police launched a major investigation, examining CCTV footage, forensic evidence, fingerprints and phone records. They questioned more than 80 people and checked around 70 CCTV cameras.

A key clue came from Roopa Reddy’s final phone call. Before her phone was switched off, she spoke to her aunt and said “Babu” — a word she often used for her students.

Investigators then focused on students from her school, particularly five Class 10 students. Two boys were eventually detained after police noticed they had suddenly started spending large amounts of money.

Police allege that one of the students had been reprimanded by Roopa Reddy weeks earlier after she found cash and a phone in the students’ hostel bags. Investigators believe this led to resentment and a plan to rob her.

According to police, the two students spent several days planning the robbery, bought a knife and gloves, and watched her movements.

One student allegedly entered her house and found around Rs.2.5 lakh. But when his face covering slipped, Roopa Reddy reportedly recognised him. Police allege that he then stabbed her 27 times before fleeing with the cash and her phone.

Police later recovered around Rs.1.54 lakh, an iPhone allegedly purchased with the stolen money, and Roopa Reddy’s phone. Some recovered currency reportedly had blood traces.

The two accused are minors and have been sent to a juvenile centre. The investigation is still underway.