Full Breakdown
Telangana Army Arms Theft: Arrests, Conspiracy and Planned Robberies
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Core Event – Seven Arrests Linked to 20 Battalion Weapon Heist
On August 30 and 31, police in Telangana found the locks on the Kote and Magazine of the Indian Army’s 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment, at Bollaram broken. A complaint by battalion commanding officer Lt Col Mayank Govitirkar led to the arrest of seven suspects on August 31, including three serving Army personnel. They are accused of stealing four AK-203 rifles, one INSAS rifle, six 9 mm pistols, a 6.35-bore civilian pistol, magazines, 1,156 rounds of 9 mm ammo, 720 rounds of AK-203 ammo, 36 INSAS rounds, three binoculars and related items.
Background & Context
The theft was discovered when Army staff noticed the broken locks and missing inventory. Police quickly linked the arms to a plot to fund armed robberies of banks, jewellery shops and wealthy individuals. No ties to terrorist or extremist groups were found.
Key Figures & Groups
- Badugula Sumathi, Malkajgiri Police Commissioner, leading the probe.
- Upputholla Mallesh alias Raju, 37-year-old retired Havildar, identified as the prime accused.
- Upputholla Mallikarjun, cousin, mason.
- Chemmakar Niranjan, friend, general-store owner.
- Avi Dey alias Obi, 32, alleged buyer from West Bengal.
- Birbal Shaw, 27, alleged buyer, sugarcane-juice centre operator.
- Konduri Sheshulu, Vinod Kumar, Kucharakanthi Praveen, serving Army personnel who aided the break-in.
Timeline
- August 30 – Police announce arrests of seven suspects, three serving Army members.
- August 31 – Locks broken; complaint lodged; investigation launched.
- September 11 – Mallesh arrested.
- September 23 – Firearm recovered from Mallesh’s father’s home in Achampet.
Data & Statistics
- Firearms stolen: 4 AK-203 rifles, 1 INSAS rifle, 6 9 mm pistols, 1 6.35-bore pistol.
- Ammunition recovered: 1,156 × 9 mm, 720 × AK-203, 36 × INSAS rounds.
- Other items: 5 AK-203 magazines, 3 INSAS magazines, 12 pistol magazines, 3 binoculars.
- Alleged sale prices: INR3 lakh per pistol, INR5 lakh per long weapon, plus ammo.
Official Statements & Responses
The police commissioner said the weapons were intended for “major property offences” rather than political violence and noted Mallesh’s grievance after his compulsory retirement earlier in the year.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Obi agreed to purchase stolen Army firearms, allegedly offering INR3 lakh for each pistol and INR5 lakh for each long weapon, besides agreeing to pay for the ammunition,” — Badugula Sumathi.
What’s Next
The seven arrested individuals are in 14-day judicial remand. Ongoing legal proceedings will address charges under the Arms Act and the alleged robbery plot, with authorities monitoring for any wider criminal links.