In the ongoing investigation into the theft of firearms and ammunition from the Madras Regiment in Bollarum, authorities have arrested former havildar U Mallesh as the prime accused. The theft was reported on August 31, but it took investigators 11 days to apprehend Mallesh and recover the stolen items.
According to The Times of India, during the initial phase of the investigation, officials from the Madras Regiment, military intelligence, and Telangana police meticulously examined footage from hundreds of CCTV cameras. They also questioned several Army personnel in an effort to uncover leads.
However, these extensive efforts did not yield any significant breakthroughs, as reported by The Times of India. The investigation faced challenges in identifying the perpetrator through conventional methods.
Police stated that during this period, K Sheshulu (36), a sepoy posted at the Madras Regiment in Bollarum and now an accused in the case, allegedly attempted to mislead his superiors. The Times of India reported that Sheshulu suggested seeking the help of an occult practitioner from his native place.
Sheshulu claimed that the occult practitioner could reveal the name of the offender after performing certain rituals, as per The Times of India. Believing Sheshulu, a junior commissioned officer (JCO) accompanied him to his native place, Markapuram, in Prakasam district.
This incident raises questions about the investigative protocols and security measures within military establishments in Telangana. The suggestion of resorting to unconventional methods like occult rituals could impact the integrity of investigations and potentially affect public trust in law enforcement within the region.