Telangana: Investigators Probe Havildar’s Meeting With Arms Broker
Investigators have filed a petition seeking extension of Mallesh’s police custody: Reports
HYDERABAD: Investigators probing the theft of weapons and ammunition from the 20 Madras Regiment at Lake Lines were examining a meeting between the main accused, retired Army Havildar Upputhola Mallesh, and an arms broker at the Gymkhana Grounds before the theft.
Based on information allegedly disclosed by Mallesh during questioning, police invoked provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against him.
Investigators have filed a petition seeking extension of Mallesh’s police custody, stating that they needed to question him further. Police sources said the case was related to national security.
A senior police official said Mallesh’s links with any outlawed organisation had not yet been established. Apart from the Telangana Counter Intelligence, the special operations team, Task Force and the National Investigation Agency, a separate Army intelligence unit has been formed to examine this angle, sources said.
The combined teams will question Mallesh about the motive behind the alleged theft of sophisticated weapons from the secured zone.
The theft of 12 weapons, including rifles and pistols, and more than 1,900 rounds of ammunition reportedly occurred on the intervening night of August 30 and 31. The arrest of Mahesh was announced on September 11.
