Police take ex-havildar into custody in firearms theft case | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Ex-havildar U Mallesh, the prime accused in the sensational firearms theft case involving weapons stolen from the Madras Regiment armoury in Bollarum, was taken into police custody on Tuesday as investigators intensified efforts to unravel how the breach was executed and whether others were involved in the crime.Malkajgiri police took Mallesh from Chanchalguda prison into custody on Tuesday morning and subjected him to detailed questioning to ascertain how the theft was carried out and identify any accomplices.To avoid media attention, a police team shifted him to different undisclosed locations in the city for interrogation.“As Mallesh was suffering from severe kidney and liver ailments, we kept a doctor available round-the-clock to ensure that he does not face any health problems during the police custody period,” a senior police officer said.Investigators focused on how Mallesh allegedly managed to break open the locks of both the kote (keeper of technical equipment in the armoury) and the battalion magazine, steal 12 firearms, including AK-203 and INSAS assault rifles and pistols along with ammunition, and leave the highly secured military premises without raising suspicion.“We believe that he had the support of at least two more Army personnel working at the Madras Regiment. We are making him explain how the theft was carried out to identify the other accused,” an investigator said.As part of the 10-day police custody granted by the court, investigators plan to recreate the crime scene to accurately determine how the weapons and ammunition were allegedly transported from the military establishment in Bollarum to Mallesh’s native village in Nagarkurnool district.“We have already recovered the stolen firearms, ammunition, binoculars, vehicles used by him and a cell phone. Based on what he confesses, we might make new arrests and gather relevant evidence,” a Malkajgiri police officer said.The burglary came to light after an official of the Madras Regiment lodged a complaint on Aug 31. Bollarum police subsequently registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Mallesh was arrested on Sept 11 and later remanded in judicial custody.