Hyderabad: The Bollarum armoury theft investigation has widened after police linked accused Upputholla Mallesh to unresolved burglary cases from 2007.
Police sources said fingerprints taken from Mallesh, 37, after his arrest allegedly matched prints preserved from 2 house burglary cases. Mallesh joined the Army only in 2010, raising questions about his activities before military service.
Investigators are examining whether the fingerprint evidence can formally connect him to the earlier cases. They are also reviewing his activities before he joined the Army.
Police further learnt that Mallesh had allegedly told investigators about buying a toy pistol at one stage. He reportedly said he intended to use it to commit a robbery.
Meanwhile, investigators are examining Mallesh’s internet and social-media activity. Police found that he had browsed websites featuring firearms-related content.
One Instagram account followed by Mallesh identified itself as “Black Rock Arms”. The profile described itself as an “Arms and Ammunition dealer khyber pakhtunkhwa” and displayed photographs and videos of firearms.
The account featured handguns, an AK-pattern firearm and other long guns. It also displayed a WhatsApp contact carrying Pakistan’s +92 country code.
However, investigators have not independently established who operated the account. They have also not confirmed whether it was a licensed firearms dealer or whether Mallesh communicated or transacted with it.
Bollarum armoury theft probe examines possible diversion
Police are separately investigating 3 people whose names Mallesh allegedly disclosed after his detention. Officers initially took the 3 persons into custody for questioning.
However, police now suspect they may not have had any role in the armoury theft. Investigators are examining whether Mallesh deliberately named them to divert the probe or implicate others.
Mallesh previously served as a havildar with the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment. He retired from the Army on June 30, 2026, after joining the service in 2010.
Police said Mallesh allegedly entered the battalion area around 11pm on the intervening night of August 30 and 31. He allegedly stole 4 AK-203 rifles, an INSAS rifle and 6 9mm pistols.
The stolen items also included a civilian 6.35-bore pistol, magazines and a passive night-vision binocular. Police also reported recovering large quantities of ammunition linked to the theft.
Bollarum police, Hyderabad City Police Task Force and SOT Malkajgiri Commissionerate jointly arrested Mallesh on September 11. Police said they recovered the stolen weapons and ammunition from Kowkoor-Yapral and Achampet in Nagarkurnool district.
The Bollarum case was registered under Sections 331(4) and 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Earlier, police said preliminary investigation indicated that alleged disgruntlement over Mallesh’s early retirement could have motivated the theft.
The latest investigation is examining several aspects of the case. These include the old burglary evidence, Mallesh’s online firearms-related activity and the possibility that he named others to mislead investigators.