Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Ex-Hawaldar Faces UAPA, Arms Act in Bolaram Rifle Theft
Police arrested former hawaldar Upputholla Mallesh in a case involving stolen rifles and ammunition.
A court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Police questioned 115 people connected with the regiment and armoury before focusing on him.
They say he knew how the weapons and ammunition were stored.
Investigators allege he entered the armoury on June 30 and carried away the weapons.
He reportedly moved them to a house he was building near Nagar Kurnool and buried them.
Police are checking whether he planned to sell the weapons or had help from others.
They are also examining his phone after finding that chats and call records had been deleted.
Former hawaldar Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody.
Police are preparing to invoke the Arms Act and UAPA against Mallesh in the theft case.
Investigators questioned 115 personnel before identifying Mallesh as a suspected insider with armoury access.
Police allege Mallesh stole rifles and ammunition on June 30 and hid them near Nagar Kurnool.
Investigators are examining his contacts, deleted communications, possible sale plans and the motive for the theft.
- Who
- Former hawaldar Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, police investigators and personnel connected with the Madras Regiment and KOTE.
- What
- Mallesh was arrested and remanded to judicial custody in the theft of rifles, ammunition and other equipment; police are preparing Arms Act and UAPA charges.
- When
- The alleged theft occurred on June 30; Mallesh was questioned on September 7 and later apprehended after failing to appear on September 8 and 9.
- Where
- The weapons were allegedly taken from the KOTE armoury in Bolaram and concealed near Nagar Kurnool after being moved through Achampet.
- Why
- Police suspect an insider theft because Mallesh allegedly knew the armoury’s layout and ammunition storage, while his motive and possible contacts remain under investigation.
- Accused
- Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, 37, a former hawaldar
- Court order
- 14 days of judicial custody
- Potential charges
- The Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
- Investigation scale
- 115 personnel were questioned
- Alleged theft date
- June 30
- Recovered items
- Rifles, ammunition and other equipment
- Recovery area
- An under-construction house near Nagar Kurnool
- Investigating teams
- Bollaram police, Cantonment SOT, Military Intelligence and Hyderabad Task Force
