Published Oct 04, 2026 | 3:44 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 04, 2026 | 3:44 PM
Recovered weapons and ammunition stolen from Madras Regiment on the intervening night of 30 and 31 August
Police have made a major breakthrough in the investigation into the Bollarum arms theft case. According to Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police B Sumathi, the retired havildar arrested in the case, for allegedly stealing a large cache of weapons and ammunition from the armoury of the 20 Madras Regiment at Bollarum, was helped by three serving Army personnel.
The investigation has also found that the accused were planning to use the weapons for robbery.
The theft came to light on August 31, when personnel of the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, found the locks of the Kote and Magazine broken. Upon inspecting the armoury, they discovered that four AK-203 rifles, one INSAS rifle, six 9mm pistols and one civilian pistol, along with magazines and ammunition, had been stolen. A total of 1,912 rounds of ammunition were also missing.
Commissioner Sumathi said the investigation revealed that the alleged theft was not an isolated arms burglary. The main accused, 37-year-old retired havildar Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, allegedly planned to acquire firearms to carry out robberies and enlisted the help of three former colleagues who were still serving in the Army.
The three serving personnel have been identified as Konduri Sheshulu, 36, a sepoy; Vinod Kumar, 34, a naik; and Kucharakanti Praveen, 37, a havildar.
According to Commissioner Sumathi, Mallesh allegedly hatched the plan with his cousin Upputholla Mallikarjun and his friend Chemmakar Niranjan, who were reportedly facing financial difficulties.
The trio allegedly planned to carry out armed robberies targeting banks, jewellery shops and wealthy individuals to make large sums of money.
The retired havildar then allegedly contacted Avi Dey alias Obi and Birbal Shaw, two men from West Bengal whom he knew through an earlier association, to explore the possibility of selling the stolen weapons.
“Obi previously sold one thapancha to him in the year 2022,” police said in a press note. During the investigation, Mallesh allegedly contacted Obi again and asked whether he would purchase Army firearms and ammunition.
Commissioner Sumathi said Obi agreed to buy pistols for ₹3 lakh each and long firearms for ₹5 lakh each, besides paying for ammunition. With the alleged assistance of the three serving Army personnel, Mallesh then broke open the locks of the Kote and Magazine and stole the weapons and ammunition.
The investigation also uncovered Mallesh’s alleged earlier involvement with illegal firearms.
Commissioner Sumathi said Mallesh allegedly told police that while his battalion was posted in Barrackpore, Kolkata, in 2022, he became acquainted with Birbal Shaw, who ran a sugarcane juice centre near the Army unit.
Through Shaw, Mallesh allegedly purchased a country-made firearm, described in police records as a tapancha, and a live round from Avi Dey alias Obi for ₹10,000.
Police said Mallesh concealed the firearm at his father’s house in Achampet. The weapon was recovered during a seizure on September 23.
Police also said Mallesh had previously been involved in two house-burglary cases registered at Achampet and Amrabad police stations.
The stolen property recovered during the investigation included four AK-203 rifles with five magazines, one INSAS rifle with three magazines, six 9mm pistols with 12 magazines, one civilian 6.35-bore pistol with a magazine, 1,156 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 720 AK-203 rounds, 36 INSAS rounds, three binoculars and five mobile phones.
Mallesh was arrested on September 11 after police received specific information and recovered the stolen property concealed at his father’s residence in Sainagar, Achampet, Nagarkurnool district. He was subsequently taken into police custody for 10 days, from September 22 to October 1, for further investigation.
The investigation subsequently led police to the other accused, including the three serving Army personnel and the two alleged buyers from West Bengal. Police said Avi Dey and Birbal Shaw admitted that Mallesh had approached them about stealing Army arms and ammunition and that they had agreed to purchase them.
Commissioner Sumathi said the investigation had not found any terrorist or extremist connection to the case.
The police press note stated that Mallesh allegedly committed the offence with the help of A2 to A8 with the intention of committing “huge property offences” and that “no terrorist or extremist connections are noticed.”
Mallesh was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on September 11. The remaining accused, A2 to A8, were arrested and were being produced before the court for judicial remand on October 3, Commissioner Sumathi said.
(Edited by Fayisa CA with inputs from Sumit Jha)
