Armoury theft: Havaldar was disgruntled over early retirement, say Hyderabad police
A former Indian Army Havaldar, Upputholla Mallesh, has been arrested for stealing firearms and ammunition from his former regiment. Police suspect his motive was resentment over being denied an extension of service after a medical injury.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns regarding internal security protocols and the psychological impact of early retirement on military personnel.
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.
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