10-day police custody for Bolarum arms theft accused, questioning from Tuesday

A Secunderabad court has granted Hyderabad police 10 days’ custody of retired Army Havaldar U. Mallesh, accused in the theft of firearms and ammunition from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, in Bolarum. His questioning will begin on Tuesday (September 22).

Investigators are expected to question Mallesh about the theft, his motive and the possible involvement of others. However, the main accused is reported to have claimed that he acted alone.

An officer from Bolarum police said various agencies involved in the investigation could also question Mallesh during the custody period.

He will be questioned by the Malkajgiri police at the Bollarum police station. However, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) could also take him to its headquarters in Hyderabad for questioning, the officer said.

His health, however, could determine how the questioning proceeds. Jail officials from Chanchalguda prison said Mallesh continued to have fever when he was examined on Monday evening.

Officials have advised that his medical condition should be taken into consideration during the custody period and that a medical officer should be available during questioning.

Mallesh was earlier shifted from Chanchalguda jail to a hospital after liver and kidney complications were detected during a routine medical examination following his remand.

The case pertains to the theft of 12 firearms and more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, in Bolarum on the night of August 30. The stolen cache included four AK-203 assault rifles, an INSAS 1B1 rifle, six 9 mm Auto 1A pistols and a 6.35-bore pistol.

Police alleged that Mallesh entered the premises around 11 p.m., broke open the Kote and removed the firearms before spending about an hour breaking open the ammunition chamber to take matching ammunition. He was arrested on September 11 after police recovered the stolen firearms and ammunition from multiple locations.