4 hrs ago
Ex-Hawaldar Remanded in Bolaram Arms Theft Case
Police arrested former soldier Upputholla Mallesh in a case involving stolen rifles and ammunition.
A court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Investigators questioned 115 people connected to the armoury and regiment.
They say Mallesh had access to the armoury because he had served in the Madras Regiment.
Police allege he entered the armoury at night and took weapons and ammunition.
He reportedly moved the items using a scooter and later a car.
The weapons were hidden in a pit near his unfinished house and later moved elsewhere.
Police recovered the weapons and said they had no evidence they reached unauthorized people.
Investigators are still examining his motive, contacts and social media activity.
Former hawaldar Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Police say Mallesh stole rifles, ammunition and equipment from the KOTE armoury on June 30.
Investigators questioned 115 personnel before narrowing the probe to people with armoury access.
Police allege Mallesh concealed the weapons near Nagar Kurnool after moving them from Hyderabad.
Authorities said drug-trafficking and espionage angles were examined and ruled out, while the motive remains under investigation.
- Who
- Former hawaldar Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, police investigators and personnel linked to the regiment and KOTE.
- What
- Mallesh was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in the theft of rifles, ammunition and other equipment.
- Where
- The weapons were allegedly stolen from the KOTE armoury in Bolaram and later concealed near Nagar Kurnool.
- When
- The alleged theft occurred on the night of June 30; Mallesh was apprehended after questioning on September 7 and 8-9.
- Why
- Police say the theft was an insider job, but Mallesh’s motive and contacts remain under investigation.
Key facts
- Accused
- Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, 37, a former hawaldar
- Custody
- 14 days of judicial custody
- Stolen items
- Rifles, ammunition and other equipment
- Investigation scale
- 115 personnel were questioned
- Alleged theft date
- June 30
- Recovery location
- An under-construction house near Nagar Kurnool
- Investigating agencies
- Bollaram police, Cantonment SOT, Military Intelligence and Hyderabad Task Force
Quotes
C.V. Anand
Director-General of Police who described the investigation into the armoury theft
“We started questioning personnel. Initially, we could not break the case, so we went for a deeper probe and shortlisted those with access”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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