Nalgonda SP reveals student role in principal’s murder

NALGONDA: Nalgonda district superintendent of police Sharath Chandra Pawar has revealed key details in the murder of Nagarjuna School principal K Roopa Reddy at Kondamallepally. Two students, who were accustomed to spending money on leisure, allegedly went to Roopa Reddy’s house to commit theft, Pawar said. One of them entered the house by jumping over [...] <p data-start="778" data-end="960"><strong>NALGONDA: </strong> Nalgonda district superintendent of police Sharath Chandra Pawar has revealed key details in the murder of Nagarjuna School principal K Roopa Reddy at Kondamallepally.</p> <p data-start="962" data-end="1253">Two students, who were accustomed to spending money on leisure, allegedly went to Roopa Reddy’s house to commit theft, Pawar said. One of them entered the house by jumping over the compound wall. When Roopa Reddy recognised him, he allegedly stabbed her with a knife he had carried with him.</p> <p data-start="1255" data-end="1410">The students had planned the theft five days in advance, believing that Roopa Reddy would have cash at home as the school was collecting fees, the SP said.</p> <p data-start="1412" data-end="1474">Pawar disclosed the details at a media conference in Nalgonda.</p> <h3 data-section-id="1ogajpd" data-start="1476" data-end="1539">Police formed five teams and examined about 70 CCTV cameras</h3> <p data-start="1541" data-end="1826">"Five special teams were formed to investigate the Roopa Reddy murder case from different angles. We examined whether old offenders or psychopathic persons were behind it. We examined about 70 CCTV cameras in the area. Based on the footage, we identified the suspects who were fleeing.</p> <p data-start="1828" data-end="2080">"Roopa Reddy last spoke to her aunt and used the word 'Babu'. We pursued that line of investigation and tried to find out whom she had spoken to in that manner. We also questioned people at the school to find out whether she used the term for students.</p> <p data-start="2082" data-end="2428">"After the principal’s murder, the school was closed for four days. After it reopened, we made inquiries about 13 students who were absent. Five of them were Class X students. We received information that two of them had been spending money and indulging in leisure activities for two or three days. We took them into custody and questioned them.</p> <p data-start="2430" data-end="2699">"We found ₹1.54 lakh in cash and an iPhone with one of the suspects. When questioned about the source of the cash, he said his parents had given it to him. There were bloodstains on the currency notes. Samples were sent to a laboratory and were found to be human blood.</p> <h3 data-section-id="1nmpwof" data-start="2701" data-end="2765">Student allegedly developed grudge against principal earlier</h3> <p data-start="2767" data-end="3090">"One of the suspects had earlier stayed in the same school hostel. After some cash and a mobile phone were found in his bag, principal Roopa Reddy and teachers reprimanded him and changed him to a day scholar. He was reprimanded in front of his parents at the time. He subsequently developed a grudge against the principal.</p> <p data-start="3092" data-end="3429">"The accused was habituated to alcohol and had a fascination for bikes. He had gone on a trip to Goa a month ago. With a desire to make money at any cost, the two planned to steal from Roopa Reddy’s house five days before the incident. They examined nearby CCTV cameras and discussed the time at which they should go to commit the theft.</p> <p data-start="3431" data-end="3715">"On the 11th of this month, after returning from school, the two suspects went together to the principal’s house. One of them wore a mask and jumped over the compound wall to enter the house. During the incident, the mask came off and the principal recognised him. He then killed her.</p> <p data-start="3717" data-end="3910">"He stabbed her 27 times. Her phone fell to the ground during the attack and the suspects took it away. We seized ₹1.54 lakh in cash, an iPhone and Roopa Reddy’s mobile phone from the suspects.</p> <p data-start="3912" data-end="4009">"As the accused are minors, we will produce them before the Juvenile Justice Board," the SP said.</p>