Daijiworld Media Network - Nalgonda
Nalgonda, Aug 20: A word commonly used by school principal Roopa Reddy while addressing her students helped police trace two Class 10 students allegedly involved in her murder in Telangana’s Nalgonda district.
Reddy was allegedly stabbed 27 times at her residence on August 11. Nalgonda Superintendent of Police Sharath Chandra Pawar said five police teams examined footage from nearly 70 CCTV cameras during the investigation.
The breakthrough came when investigators learnt that Reddy had addressed someone as “Babu” during a phone conversation with her aunt around the time of the incident. Police found that she commonly used the term while speaking to students at the school.
Police then examined students who had been absent around the time of the murder. Thirteen students were initially identified, including five from Class 10.
Investigators reportedly became suspicious of two students after noticing that they were spending money lavishly. Police later recovered Rs 1.54 lakh in cash from one of the minors. Although he allegedly claimed that the money had been given by his parents, officers noticed suspected bloodstains on the currency notes.
Forensic examination confirmed that the blood belonged to Roopa Reddy, according to police, making the two minors prime suspects in the case.
During the investigation, police allegedly found that one of the students had earlier stayed in the school hostel and had been reprimanded by Reddy after she reportedly found cash and a mobile phone in his bag. He was subsequently shifted from the hostel to day-scholar status. Police suspect this may have led to resentment against the principal.
Police further alleged that the student had travelled to Goa about a month before the incident and was looking for ways to make money. Five days before the murder, he allegedly conducted a recce of Reddy’s house after learning that school fee collections could be kept there.
On August 11, the two minors allegedly entered the house after scaling the compound wall. They were reportedly wearing masks and attacked Reddy. During the assault, one of them allegedly lost his mask, allowing the principal to recognise him.
Police allege that the accused then stabbed Reddy 27 times and fled with cash and two mobile phones. The investigation reportedly led to the recovery of Rs 1.54 lakh, an iPhone and Reddy’s mobile phone.
As the accused are minors, police said they will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Court. Further investigation into the case is underway.