CHHATARPUR: In a shocking incident, the principal of a government secondary school was allegedly shot dead by a Class XII student within the school premises in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday.
The broad daylight murder happened at around 1 pm when Surendra Saxena, the principal of Dhamaura Higher Secondary School was entering the toilet, located between the school’s boundary wall and the main road outside.
The boy was nabbed within a few hours after committing the crime, said inspector Pushpendra Yadav of Orchha Road police station.
He was traced near the district's border with Uttar Pradesh, the official said, adding that the accused was known for wayward behaviour at school.
The weapon used for the killing was also seized from him, Yadav added.
Initially, the accused had a heated exchange of words with the principal and later whipped out a pistol and shot him twice in the head resulting in his instant death. The accused subsequently went to the principal’s office, took his scooter keys and fled on it.
“Just a few hours after the killing, the 17-year-old accused (who is a Class XII student in the same school) was arrested by Chhatarpur police while trying to flee to adjoining Mahoba district of UP,” Chhatarpur district police superintendent Agam Jain told The New Indian Express.
The arrested Class XII student (whose father runs a thriving dairy business in Chhatarpur district) has disclosed during the primary police grilling, about being hurt by the principal's scolding and warning to act against him for indiscipline.
As per informed sources, the accused was scolded and cautioned by the principal in the past also for being absent from classes and misconduct within school premises, particularly with girl students. In the past also, the accused had come to the school with the illegal firearm.
Meanwhile, the murdered school principal Surendra Saxena’s brother Rajendra Saxena alleged that the broad daylight murder within the school premises was a conspiracy by some school insiders.
“He (my brother) often told me that he was being pressured by some school staff to work against rules. This is why he wanted his transfer to some other place. The school’s gate is closed while the classes are underway, but on Friday, while the classes were on, the gate was wide open," said Rajendra Saxena.
"The accused went inside, committed the crime and also damaged property inside the principal’s office before fleeing on my brother’s scooter. This couldn’t have happened without the help of some school staff. I request the Chhatarpur SP to probe the possible conspiracy by school insiders in the murder," he added.
Meanwhile, Chhatarpur SP Agam Jain said that all possible angles, including any possibility of some conspiracy behind the killing and allegations by the slain principal’s kin, will be investigated in detail.
(With inputs from PTI)