On the first day of police custody, accused of stealing weapons, Bolarum was interrogated for six hours

The Telangana DGP along with senior officers are probing the stolen arms and ammunition. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Retired Army Havaldar U. Mallesh, accused of stealing firearms and ammunition from the 20th Battalion, Madras Regiment, at Bolarum, was questioned for about six hours on Tuesday, the first day of his 10-day police custody.

Investigators questioned Mallesh from noon to 6 p.m. He has cooperated with the investigation, although officials say nothing new has come out of the questioning.

Mallesh is currently being questioned at the Bolarum Police Station. Military officers may share clues and suggest specific lines of questioning as the interrogation continues, the sources said, adding that they would not be directly part of the investigation.

During the remand period, Mallesh could also be taken to SOT office, commissioner office and NIA office for questioning.

A Secunderabad court granted Hyderabad police a 10-day remand for Mallesh in connection with the case.

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.

Mallesh was arrested on September 11 after police recovered the stolen firearms and ammunition. He claimed he acted alone.

Published – 22 Sep 2026 22:21 IST