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After 12 firearms were stolen from the 20 Madras Regiment premises at the Secunderabad Cantonment on August 30, Hyderabad’s Malkajgiri police arrested a former havaldar who had retired two months ago.
The accused, 37-year-old Upputholla Mallesh, retired from the 20 Battalion on June 30. Police officials allege that Mallesh entered the regiment through Kargil Gate around 11 pm on August 30, broke into the Kote and ammunition chamber and took the weapons and corresponding ammunition. He allegedly transported the material first on a scooter and later shifted it to his Brezza car.
Investigators began focusing on him after examining his movements around the regiment on August 27, 28, and 29. Police said he appeared to have been observing personnel movement, lighting and security arrangements. Investigators added that he subsequently picked up passengers on the route to create an alibi before concealing the stolen items at different locations.
Several weapons, including four 7.62x39 mm AK-203 assault rifles with five magazines, one 5.56 mm INSAS 1B1 rifle with three magazines, six 9 mm Auto 1A pistols with 12 magazines, and one 6.35-bore civilian pistol with a magazine, had gone missing. The weapons and ammunition were eventually recovered from Kowkoor, Yapral and Achampet in Nagarkurnool district.
The probe was complicated by a lack of CCTV footage, as the system was reportedly without power that night, following an earlier fire incident.
Police said Mallesh's call records and WhatsApp history had also been erased. He allegedly confessed after being questioned by the Task Force on September 10. Telangana Director General of Police CV Anand also said that Mallesh may have been disgruntled over his retirement, but his precise motive and whether others were involved are still being investigated.
