Former Army Havaldar Faces Custody Battle in Bolarum Arms Theft Case

The Malkajgiri police are moving swiftly to unravel a disturbing case of military arms theft, preparing to seek seven days' custody of a former Army Havaldar who stands accused of stealing weapons from his own regiment. Upputholla Mallesh, who retired just months ago after 16 years of service, now finds himself at the center of a investigation that has left authorities searching for motives and possible accomplices.

The Night of the Theft

On August 30, around 11 p.m., Mallesh allegedly entered the regiment through the Kargil Gate—a place he would have known well from his years of service. What happened next reads like a scene from a thriller: he broke open the Kote, removed firearms, and then spent about an hour breaking open the ammunition chamber to take matching ammunition. The precision and knowledge displayed suggest someone intimately familiar with the facility's layout and security.

Unanswered Questions

Investigators are particularly troubled by the motive behind the theft. Police have indicated that Mallesh might have been disgruntled over his retirement from service, but they're digging deeper to determine if this was the sole reason—or if others were involved. The fact that all weapons were recovered from different locations adds another layer of complexity to the case.

Legal Proceedings Ahead

With courts closed Saturday and Monday, police will file their custody petition on Tuesday, September 15. They need those seven days to question Mallesh in detail—not just about why he did it, but who might have helped him, and what he planned to do with the stolen arms. The case has sent ripples through military circles, raising questions about security protocols and the transition of personnel to civilian life.