Bolarum, accused of stealing weapons, wanted to sell the stolen weapons, admits the role of seven others
DGP CV Anand along with senior police officers displaying the weapons recovered from the accused at the press. | Photo credit: File Photo
Former Army Havaldar Upputholla Mallesh, accused of stealing 12 firearms and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20th Battalion, Madras Regiment premises in Bolarum, was on Thursday (October 1) sent back to judicial custody at Chanchalguda Central Jail after his 10-day police remand ended.
During interrogation, Mallesh named seven others who helped him steal the stash. Before proceeding further, the leading police officers verify their identity, individual roles and other details.
Investigators said the theft was motivated by Mallesh’s grudge against his former superiors and the intention to illegally sell the stolen firearms and ammunition for money.
The police also learned that Mallesh was allegedly carrying an illegally purchased 0.99 mm pistol. His past involvement in burglary and theft cases has also come under scrutiny. The cases predated his entry into the military in 2010 by about five years. Investigators suspect that the cases, registered in rural areas where the records were not fully digitized, may have been concealed when he joined the armed forces.
Investigators also reconstructed his movements on the night of the theft. Mallesh allegedly returned from the function, got out to steal arms and ammunition and later returned to take the car.
The police recovered data from his mobile phone and obtained details of the deleted calls through call detail records (CDRs). His contacts and communications are being scrutinized as investigators verify the involvement of seven people he named.
Mallesh was also reportedly addicted to alcohol and has kidney-related health problems. Further verification of information is underway, police are likely to brief the media soon to release details of other people allegedly involved in the theft.
Published – 01 Oct 2026 08:00 IST