Armoury theft: Havaldar was disgruntled over early retirement, say Hyderabad police

Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand and other senior police officers at a press conference in Hyderabad on Friday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL For 16 years, Upputholla Mallesh, 37, was part of the 20 Madras Regiment, serving as a general duty sepoy before rising to the rank of Havaldar. Now, Telangana police are investigating how his long association with the same unit may have helped him pull off the theft of firearms and ammunition from the regiment.Mallesh joined the Army in 2010 in the general duty, non-technical grade. The 20 Madras Regiment, which moves to a different location roughly every three years, came to Secunderabad from Siachen, Himalayas, in August 2025. Mallesh was with the same unit and was therefore familiar with the area, its surroundings and the place where the weapons were stored.A Havaldar is a non-commissioned military rank in the Indian Army, equivalent to a Sergeant in other militaries, positioned above a Naik and below a Naib Subedar.Police said his knowledge of the security arrangements aided him in carrying out the theft. According to DGP C.V. Anand, the accused knew about the lack of functional CCTVs at night and the locations of arms and ammunition.Reluctant retireeMallesh left the Army on June 30 this year after completing 16 years of service. Police said that he had suffered a ligament tear in his leg but wanted to continue serving. However, he was not given an extension and was handed an early retirement.Investigators are now examining whether this could have left him with a grudge against his superiors. Sources close to the investigation said that, prima facie, they suspect disgruntlement over his retirement as a possible motive, as the investigation has so far not indicated that he was coerced into committing the theft.Mallesh lives in Balaji Nagar with his wife and two children. During questioning, his behaviour also added to the investigators’ suspicion. Police noticed him sweating and appearing shifty while being questioned, and the account of his movements did not tally with the statements of others.He told investigators that he had committed the heist alone, and nobody else was involved. Police, however, are yet to question him further on several aspects of the crime and establish additional motive.The stolen firearms and ammunition have been recovered. Police are expected to seek Mallesh’s custody from the court for further questioning as they piece together how he planned the theft and what led him to target his former unit. Published - September 11, 2026 08:36 pm IST