The J.C. Nagar police have arrested a 34-year-old NRI after live ammunition and a magazine were allegedly found in a hotel room he had stayed at in Jayamahal.

The accused, identified as Arman Mutaahar, had checked into a room at Jayamahal Palace Hotel on the night of April 27 along with a female friend and had checked out the next morning, the police said.

According to the complaint filed by the hotel manager, Prakash G.N., the accused later called the hotel reception claiming that he had accidentally left behind his mobile phone and a pouch containing live bullets inside the room and requested the staff to keep them safely.

Following his instructions, the hotel staff searched room no. 225 and allegedly recovered a mobile phone along with a magazine containing seven live rounds. The items were initially kept at the reception after the accused reportedly told the hotel staff that he would return within a day or two to collect them.

However, when he failed to return, despite repeated calls from the hotel management, the staff handed over the magazine and ammunition to the J.C. Nagar police on May 4.

During questioning, the accused allegedly claimed that he had mistakenly brought the magazine and ammunition from the United States. The police said no firearm was recovered from him. He claimed that he is working for a private firm which worked for the army. The police are verifying his claims.

Investigators are now probing how the live bullets and the magazine were brought into India and whether the accused had concealed a weapon elsewhere. The police are also verifying whether customs regulations and arms laws were violated.

The accused, who had reportedly come to Bengaluru to visit his sister in R.T. Nagar, was later arrested and remanded in judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.