Archive · 20 Aug 2026
‘Babu’ Clue and Blood-Stained Notes Crack Nalgonda Principal Murder
Police say two 16-year-old students were arrested after their school principal, Kallu Roopa Reddy, was killed.
The killing happened at her home in Kondamallepally, Telangana, on August 11.
Police believe the students wanted money and were angry after being disciplined by the principal.
One student allegedly entered the house while the other watched outside.
The principal reportedly recognized one attacker when his mask slipped.
She said “Babu,” a word she used for boys at the school.
Police later found cash with bloodstains and noticed that the students were spending money unusually.
CCTV footage, phone evidence and questioning also helped investigators connect them to the crime.
Because the suspects are minors, they are being handled under juvenile justice procedures.
Police arrested two 16-year-old Class 10 students over the August 11 killing of principal Kallu Roopa Reddy in Nalgonda district.
Investigators said Roopa Reddy shouted “Babu” during a phone call after recognizing one attacker whose mask had slipped.
Police allege one student entered her home and stabbed her 27 times while the other acted as a lookout.
Approximately ₹2.20 lakh to ₹2.50 lakh was allegedly stolen, while ₹1.54 lakh and three blood-stained ₹500 notes were recovered.
CCTV footage, unusual spending, online searches and forensic evidence helped police identify the juveniles within eight days.
- Who
- Kallu Roopa Reddy, a school principal, was killed; police arrested two 16-year-old Class 10 students from her school.
- What
- The students allegedly attacked and killed Roopa Reddy during a robbery and took cash and her iPhone.
- When
- The killing occurred on August 11; the students were apprehended at about 11:30 a.m. on the following Wednesday, eight days after the investigation began.
- Where
- The killing took place at Roopa Reddy’s residence in B.J. Colony, Kondamallepally mandal, Nalgonda district, Telangana.
- Why
- Police cited alleged anger after disciplinary action, a desire for quick money, spending ambitions and possible revenge; reports differ on the precise motive.
Police Account
Reported Variations and Unresolved Points
Motive
Police Account
Police said the students allegedly sought quick money and developed resentment after Roopa Reddy disciplined them, including removing them from the hostel or making them day scholars. One report also cited social-media fame and revenge.
Reported Variations and Unresolved Points
No account from the students or their families was provided in the reports, so the motive remains based on police allegations and investigation findings.
Money stolen
Police Account
Police accounts described the alleged stolen amount as about ₹2.20 lakh or ₹2.50 lakh and said ₹1.54 lakh was recovered.
Reported Variations and Unresolved Points
The reports do not agree on the exact amount taken; one account also said the boys divided ₹2.10 lakh and ₹40,000.
School and recovered items
Police Account
Reports identify Roopa Reddy’s school as Kakateeya Grammar Concept School, Nagarjuna Grammar Concept School or Nagarjuna Public School; police recovered the iPhone and crime-related items.
Reported Variations and Unresolved Points
The school’s name varies across reports, as does the number of recovered mobile phones, reported as two in one account and three in another.
- Victim
- Kallu Roopa Reddy, 48, identified in reports as principal of Kakateeya Grammar Concept School, Nagarjuna Grammar Concept School or Nagarjuna Public School.
- Suspects
- Two 16-year-old Class 10 students who studied at the school and stayed in its hostel.
- Date and location
- August 11, at Roopa Reddy’s residence in Kondamallepally mandal, Nalgonda district.
- Reported attack
- Police said Roopa Reddy suffered 27 stab wounds.
- Reported amount stolen
- Reports cited approximately ₹2.20 lakh or ₹2.50 lakh.
- Cash recovered
- ₹1.54 lakh was recovered; police said three ₹500 notes had bloodstains.
- Investigation
- Five teams involving about 40 personnel examined roughly 70 CCTV cameras within a 30-kilometre radius and questioned more than 80 people.
- Other recovered items
- Police reported recovering the victim’s iPhone, a knife, gloves, masks and either two or three mobile phones, depending on the report.
Sources
Students killed principal in Telangana, ‘Babu’ clue cracks Nalgonda murder case
Nalgonda school principal murder: Here is how currency notes helped police nab accused
Last Word ‘Babu’ of Killed School Principal Leads to Two Students’ Arrest