Police have arrested 37-year-old Upputholla Mallesh, a retired Havildar of the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, for allegedly stealing firearms and ammunition from the unit’s Kote and Magazine rooms. Investigators say Mallesh, who served in the Army for 16 years before retiring on June 30, 2026, appears to have carefully planned the operation and later moved the stolen weapons across Telangana.
The stolen cache comprised four AK-203 rifles, one INSAS rifle, seven pistols, magazines, a passive night-vision binocular and nearly 1,900 rounds of ammunition, reports ANI. Police said Mallesh was reportedly disgruntled after his retirement, but investigators are still probing his exact motive.
August 28-29: Mallesh allegedly conducts reconnaissance
According to The Times of India, Mallesh allegedly spent two days, August 28 and 29, conducting a recce of the armoury.
His 16 years of Army service had given him familiarity with the unit’s surroundings and an understanding of how the armoury functioned, investigators said. Police believe this knowledge helped him plan the alleged theft.
August 30-31: Weapons allegedly stolen from the unit
Mallesh allegedly entered the Kote and Magazine rooms on the intervening night of August 30 and 31 and removed the firearms, ammunition and other equipment.
After taking the weapons, investigators said he also returned to collect magazine covers. According to DGP CV Anand, CCTV footage showed Mallesh reaching his home in Balaji Nagar at about 4:34 am.
He placed the magazine bag inside his white Brezza car, which he owned, the DGP said in remarks reported by ANI.
After the theft: Weapons allegedly hidden near a temple
From his house, Mallesh allegedly drove to a temple where he had concealed the firearms.
According to Anand, he then loaded the weapons into his car and began travelling towards Achampet.
The route taken by Mallesh also became part of the police investigation. He used the ORR, Sagar Ring Road and Bangalore Gate Road while avoiding Srisailam Road, reportedly to stay away from toll gates.
Mallesh allegedly picks up passengers during the journey
Police believe Mallesh also attempted to create evidence suggesting that he had travelled for other work after leaving the Army.
According to ANI's report of Anand's statement, Mallesh had been using his car to transport passengers as a means of earning a livelihood after his retirement. During the journey, he picked up four passengers near the Sagar Ring Road taxi point.
He dropped them at Devarakonda and collected payment. He then picked up two more passengers at Dindi, took payment from them and dropped them farther along the route.
The police believe these movements may have helped create an explanation for his presence along the route.
August 31, 1:15 pm: Mallesh reaches Achampet
Mallesh reached Achampet at around 1:15 pm on August 31, according to the timeline provided by Anand and reported by ANI.
The stolen weapons had by then been moved away from the military premises.
September 6: Suspicion grows, weapons allegedly shifted
As suspicion around Mallesh increased, he apparently became nervous, according to the DGP.
Anand said that on September 6, Mallesh shifted the entire consignment of stolen weapons and ammunition.
Police continued investigating his movements as suspicion surrounding his involvement grew.
September 10: Confession leads police to stolen cache
Mallesh eventually confessed on September 10, according to Anand's statement reported by ANI.
Following the confession, Hyderabad Task Force teams led by the DCP travelled to the location and recovered the stolen firearms, ammunition and other material.
“The entire stolen material” was recovered, Anand said, while adding that investigators were still examining Mallesh’s motivation and the intention behind the theft.
Wife and father-in-law help investigators crack the case
The investigation also took a crucial turn after Mallesh’s wife and father-in-law were questioned.
According to The Times of India, Mallesh’s wife later confronted him about the theft and persuaded him to surrender before the authorities. Mallesh subsequently helped police recover the stolen weapons.
Police have said his alleged dissatisfaction following his retirement could have been a preliminary motive, but officers have stressed that the investigation into why he stole the weapons and what he intended to do with them is still continuing.
