10-day police custody for Bolarum accused of stealing weapons, interrogation from Tuesday

Police officials displaying arms and ammunition stolen from the compound of 20 Madras Regiment at Bolarum, Secunderabad Cantonment. File | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

A Secunderabad court granted Hyderabad Police a 10-day remand to retired Army Havaldar U. Mallesh, accused of stealing firearms and ammunition from the 20th Battalion, Madras Regiment, at Bolarum. His questioning will begin on Tuesday (September 22).

Investigators are expected to question Mallesh about the theft, his motive and the possible involvement of others. However, the main accused allegedly claimed that he acted alone.

An officer from the Bolarum police said that various agencies involved in the investigation could also question Mallesh during his remand period.

He will be questioned by Malkajgiri police at Bollarum police station. However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) could also take him to its headquarters in Hyderabad for questioning, the officer said.

However, his state of health could decide how the interrogation would proceed. Jail officials from Chanchalguda jail said Mallesh continued to have fever when he was examined on Monday evening.

Officials recommended that his health be taken into account during his detention and that a doctor should be available during interrogation.

Mallesh was earlier shifted from Chanchalguda jail to the hospital after liver and kidney complications were detected during a routine medical examination after his detention.

The case relates to the theft of 12 firearms and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20th Battalion, Madras Regiment, at Bolarum on the night of 30 August. The stolen treasure included four AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS 1B1 rifle, six 9mm pistols and 5 Auto.

Police alleged that Mallesh entered the premises at around 11pm, broke open the Kote and took out the firearms before spending about an hour breaking open the magazine to take the matching ammunition. He was arrested on 9/11 after police found stolen firearms and ammunition at several locations.

Published – 21 Sep 2026 21:27 IST