Navy Sailor Arrested for Theft of INSAS Rifle and Ammunition in Mumbai

Strategic Insights -

In a startling security breach, two brothers, Rakesh Dubbala (22) and Umesh (25), were arrested by the Mumbai crime branch for stealing an INSAS rifle and ammunition from Navy Nagar in Colaba on September 6. The duo, from Kumuram Bheem Asifabad in Telangana, had planned to sell the weapon, possibly to Naxalites in Telangana. The brothers, who had managed to enter the highly-secured area using Rakesh's ID card, allegedly collected the rifle and 40 bullets and later threw the gun across the compound wall, where it was collected by Umesh.

Key Takeaways:

  • The accused, Rakesh Dubbala, was a junior sailor in the Indian Navy, posted at Mumbai's Navy base through the Agniveer batch of 2023.
  • He was a Class 12th passout and had been well known to many in Navy Nagar during his tenure, which facilitated his access to the area.
  • Rakesh used his ID card to pose as a "reliever" of another junior sailor and allegedly collected the rifle and ammunition from the sailor posted on duty.
  • The brothers, Rakesh and Umesh, later threw the gun across the compound wall, where it was collected by Umesh, and went to Hyderabad before being traced by the authorities.
  • All stolen items were recovered during the arrest.
  • The Navy had lodged a complaint with Cuffe Parade police, and the Mumbai Crime Branch coordinated with local police to trace the accused duo.

Statistics:

  • The theft occurred on September 6.
  • The accused, Rakesh Dubbala, was a junior sailor in the Agniveer batch of 2023.
  • The rifle and ammunition stolen include:

+ 2 magazines containing 40 live rounds.

+ 1 empty magazine.

+ 1 INSAS rifle.

  • The stolen items were recovered during the arrest.
  • The Mumbai Crime Branch coordinated with local police, and the accused duo was arrested within 48 hours of the crime.

Sources:

  • Asifabad district superintendent of police Kantilal Patil, quoted in TOI
  • TOI