Class 12 students ‘shoot dead’ principal in Madhya Pradesh, flee on two-wheeler

Police said the student who allegedly shot him followed him into the bathroom and shot him in the head.

Saxena was shot in the head and he died on the spot, Prajapati added.

Madhya Pradesh Police are on the lookout for two Class 12 students of a government school in Chattarpur wanted for the murder of the school principal, who was found dead in a toilet near the school Friday.

The deceased was identified as Surendra Kumar Saxena, the principal of Dhamaura Government Higher Secondary School. The police are looking into allegations that the principal had previously called the father of one of the accused students multiple times citing his indiscipline.

Superintendent of Police (Chattarpur) Agam Jain said: “Our investigation shows that two students from the school shot and killed the school principal inside a bathroom located near the school main road. Forensic and police teams are actively investigating the case. Staff members and other witnesses have been questioned, and the accused’s past records are being scrutinised. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is also being reviewed. Preliminary findings have revealed additional angles, which are currently being verified”.

Police said the student who allegedly shot him followed him into the bathroom and shot him in the head. The gunshot sent the school into a panic and sent the staff rushing to the alleged scene of crime.

The accused reportedly fled the scene on Saxena’s two-wheeler, police said.

Harishankar Joshi, a teacher at the school said he was returning from a survey when he saw students leaving the school.

“When I asked why, they told me the principal was shot. When I asked who, they claimed they did not know. I immediately informed the other teachers and the police were called,” Joshi said, describing the principal as “a simple natured man who did not have any rivalry with anyone at the school”.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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