Bolarum arms theft accused claims eight others helped him steal the cache

The 10-day police custody of former Army Havaldar Upputholla Mallesh, accused of stealing 12 firearms and over 1,800 rounds of ammunition from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment premises at Bolarum, will end on October 1, with his questioning throwing up claims about the involvement of more persons in the theft.

During interrogation, Mallesh allegedly claimed that eight others had helped him steal the cache from the Army premises. The persons he named include some security guards, and investigators are verifying their alleged roles in the theft.

The disclosure marks a shift from Mallesh’s earlier claim that he had acted alone.

Investigators have also learnt that while a grudge against his former superiors was allegedly the primary motive behind the theft, Mallesh also intended to make money by selling the stolen firearms and ammunition.

He was allegedly looking for prospective buyers for the weapons after stealing them, a line that investigators are now examining as part of the questioning.

Mallesh was taken into police custody on September 22 after a Secunderabad court granted investigators 10 days to question him over the theft, his motive and the possible involvement of others.