Bike dream, Rs 2.5 lakh, ‘quick money’: What drove Hyderabad Class 10 students to kill their principal | Hyderabad News
HYDERABAD: A plan to steal Rs 2.5 lakh from their school principal’s house turned fatal when a Class 10 student allegedly stabbed her 27 times after she recognized him, police said. Two 16-year-old students of the private school in Nalgonda district were apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the August 11 murder of principal Kallu Rupa Reddy, 50.Police said the boys had spent five days planning the theft, conducted a recce of Rupa Reddy’s house and even bought gloves before executing the plan. One of them, who was staying in the school hostel, allegedly entered her house by scaling the compound wall while the other stood guard outside.The students allegedly knew that Rupa Reddy usually had cash at home around the 10th of every month after collecting school fees. Police said the main accused wanted money for alcohol and to buy a two-wheeler.According to Nalgonda SP Sharat Chandra Pawar, the two also searched a video-sharing platform for ways to “earn money fast” before carrying out the plan.On August 11 evening, the student allegedly entered the house and took around Rs 2.5 lakh kept in the bedroom. As he tried to flee, Rupa Reddy allegedly identified him. Fearing that she would report him to police, he attacked her with a knife, stabbing her 27 times. He also took her phone before escaping, police said.Rupa Reddy was found dead at her residence in Kondamallepally mandal the following morning. She was alone at home when the attack took place. Her husband, who was in Hyderabad, alerted neighbours after she did not answer his calls, following which police were informed.Investigators examined CCTV footage, fingerprints, forensic evidence and the records of local suspects. Around 80 people were questioned by five teams comprising about 40 policemen. CCTV footage from around 70 cameras was examined, police said.A breakthrough came after investigators learnt that Rupa Reddy had uttered the word “babu” while speaking to her aunt shortly before her phone was switched off. Since the word could have been used to refer to a student, police began examining the role of students from her school.They shortlisted five Class 10 students who had remained absent from school. Two of them attracted suspicion after police found that they had suddenly begun spending lavishly and hosting parties.One of the juveniles was found carrying Rs 1.54 lakh and an iPhone. Although he allegedly claimed that his parents had given him the money, forensic examination found traces of blood on the currency notes, police said. Rupa Reddy’s phone was also recovered from him.Police said the student had a grudge against the principal after she reprimanded him around 20 days before the murder when cash and a mobile phone were found in his bag. He was subsequently asked to leave the hostel and become a day scholar.The two juveniles were apprehended on Wednesday morning and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
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