A grudge allegedly led two students to murder 49-year-old school principal Kallu Roopa Reddy, with Nalgonda police detaining the two in connection with the crime. She was the principal of Nagarjuna Public School in Kondamallepally.

Roopa Reddy was found murdered with 27 stab wounds at her house in JB Colony, the mandal headquarters. She lived with her husband, Rajender Reddy, who was in Hyderabad on work when the incident occurred, according to the police.

Following the murder, police questioned more than 50 people, including her husband, but could not initially arrive at a conclusion. The breakthrough came when investigators closely examined footage from a surveillance camera installed near her house.

The footage showed a teenager near the house. Acting on the clue, police picked him up and questioned him. During interrogation, the teenager allegedly admitted to the murder.

The suspect bore a grudge against Roopa Reddy after she allegedly terminated him from the school by issuing a transfer certificate, the police said. A second school student was also detained in connection with the murder.

Published - August 19, 2026 02:57 pm IST