Bolarum arms theft accused questioned for six hours on first day of police custody

Retired Army Havaldar U. Mallesh, accused in the theft of firearms and ammunition from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, in Bolarum, was questioned for about six hours on Tuesday, the first day of his 10-day police custody.

Investigators questioned Mallesh from noon to 6 p.m. He has been cooperating with the investigation, though nothing new has emerged from the questioning so far, according to officials.

Mallesh is currently being questioned at the Bolarum Police Station. Military officers may share leads and suggest specific lines of questioning as the interrogation progresses, sources said, adding that they will not be part of the probe directly.

During the custody period, Mallesh could also be taken to the SOT office, Commissioner’s Office and the NIA office for questioning.

A Secunderabad court had granted Hyderabad police 10 days’ custody of Mallesh in connection with the case.

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.

Mallesh was arrested on September 11 after police recovered the stolen firearms and ammunition. He has maintained that he acted alone.