Nalgonda, Telangana: A 50-year-old woman school principal was allegedly stabbed 27 times by a Class 10 student in Telangana's Nalgonda district after he entered her home to steal money, police said.

Two 16-year-old Class 10 students have been apprehended in connection with the murder of Kallu Rupa Reddy, who was found dead at her residence in Kondamallepally mandal on the morning of August 12.

Nalgonda district Superintendent of Police Sharat Chandra Pawar said the two juveniles allegedly planned the theft for several days before carrying it out on August 11.

Police said the breakthrough came after investigators examined forensic evidence, fingerprints, CCTV footage, local rowdy-sheeters and dog squad findings.

CCTV footage showed a person wearing a red hoodie entering Rupa Reddy's house. Investigators subsequently examined footage from around 70 CCTV cameras. Five police teams comprising about 40 personnel were involved in the investigation, while more than 80 people were questioned, according to a police release.

Rupa Reddy was alone at home when the incident occurred. Her husband was in Hyderabad and alerted neighbours after she failed to answer his calls. The neighbours then contacted police, who found her dead.

Investigators also focused on the word 'babu', which Rupa Reddy reportedly uttered during a phone conversation with her aunt shortly before her phone was switched off. As the word could be used to address students, police began examining whether pupils from her school were involved.

A list of five Class 10 students who had been absent from school was prepared. Police became suspicious after finding that two of them had been spending unusually large amounts of money and hosting parties.

One of the juveniles, identified as JCL1 (Juvenile in Conflict with Law), was found carrying Rs 1.54 lakh and an iPhone. Although he initially claimed that his parents had given him the money, police found blood stains on the currency notes.

During questioning, the two juveniles allegedly confessed to planning the murder, Pawar said.

According to police, JCL1 had a grudge against Rupa Reddy after she reprimanded him about 20 days earlier when money and a mobile phone were found in his school bag. He was subsequently removed from the hostel of the private school and made a day scholar.

Police said JCL1, who was allegedly in the habit of consuming alcohol and wanted to buy a two-wheeler, knew that Rupa Reddy would have money at home around the 10th of every month after collecting school fees.

The two juveniles allegedly conducted a five-day recce of her house and purchased gloves before executing their plan.

On the evening of August 11, JCL1 allegedly entered the house by jumping over the wall. He took Rs 2.50 lakh from the bedroom and was attempting to flee when Rupa Reddy recognised him.

Police allege that JCL1 then stabbed her 27 times with a knife, fearing she would identify him and report the theft to police. He also took her mobile phone before leaving, while JCL2 allegedly kept watch outside.

Police recovered Rs 1.54 lakh in cash, the iPhone allegedly purchased by JCL1 and Rupa Reddy's phone from his possession.

Pawar said the juveniles' original plan was to commit theft and that the killing allegedly occurred after JCL1 feared Rupa Reddy would report him.

Investigators also found that the two had searched a video-sharing platform for ways to make money quickly before carrying out the plan, Pawar said.

CCTV footage showing a suspect with the same physical build and structure as the juveniles was another key piece of evidence, the police official added.