Indore police arrest Congress leader Anwar Qadri in fake arms licence case
Synopsis
Anwar Qadri — Congress leader, known locally as 'Dacait', and a man with over 27 criminal cases — was picked up the moment he walked out on bail in Indore. The arrest in a fake arms licence case, linked to a forged document allegedly from Kishtwar in J&K, adds a cross-state dimension to an already sprawling criminal record that includes murder, extortion, and NSA action.
Key Takeaways
Anwar Qadri , Congress leader and accused in 27+ criminal cases , was arrested by Indore's Sadar Bazar police on 6 August .
The arrest relates to a fake arms licence case originating from an incident in February 2025 , in which Qadri allegedly assaulted Javed Khan with a firearm.
The firearm was allegedly procured using a forged licence purportedly issued from Kishtwar district, J&K .
Qadri was already in jail in a separate case and was arrested in this matter immediately upon his bail release.
His criminal record includes charges of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion , and past action under the National Security Act (NSA) .
Police have produced him before a court; investigation into the forged licence's source and all persons involved is underway.
Congress leader Anwar Qadri, widely known as Anwar 'Dacait', was arrested by the Indore police on Thursday, 6 August in connection with a fake arms licence case, after evading arrest in the matter for several months. The arrest was carried out by the Sadar Bazar police immediately upon his release on bail in a separate criminal case.
The Fake Arms Licence Case
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Narendra Rawat, the case stems from an incident in February 2025, in which Qadri allegedly entered the residence of one Javed Khan armed with a firearm and assaulted him. Investigators subsequently found that the firearm had allegedly been procured using a forged arms licence purportedly issued from Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.
A case was registered against Qadri under relevant provisions of the Arms Act, along with charges of cheating and other applicable sections, Rawat confirmed.
Why He Could Not Be Arrested Earlier
Police said Qadri was already lodged in jail at the time of the initial investigation, in connection with a separate criminal case registered at the Banganga police station. His arrest in the fake arms licence case was therefore deferred until he became available. 'After receiving information about his release on bail, our team acted promptly and arrested him in the fake arms licence case. He had been absconding in this matter for several months,' DCP Rawat said.
A Long Criminal Record
Qadri carries a substantial criminal history, with more than 27 cases registered against him at various police stations across Indore. The charges span murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion, assault, and illegal possession of arms. Preventive action under the National Security Act (NSA) had also been initiated against him in the past, according to police.
Investigation and Next Steps
Qadri was produced before a court following his arrest, and the investigation is ongoing. 'We are verifying the source of the forged licence and the role of every person involved. Further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected,' DCP Rawat said. Authorities are examining the chain of custody of the allegedly fake licence, including its purported origin in Kishtwar, J&K — a detail that broadens the geographical scope of the probe.
Point of View
Qadri's profile also invites a harder question — why has prosecution in earlier cases not resulted in conviction? The fake arms licence charge may be the most traceable of the lot, but the broader accountability gap remains unaddressed.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anwar Qadri and why was he arrested?
Anwar Qadri is a Congress leader from Indore, popularly known as Anwar 'Dacait', who was arrested on 6 August in connection with a fake arms licence case. He allegedly entered a person's house with a firearm in February 2025 and assaulted him, and the firearm was later found to have been procured using a forged arms licence.
What is the fake arms licence case against Anwar Qadri?
The case involves Qadri allegedly using a firearm during an assault on Javed Khan in February 2025. Investigators found the firearm was procured on the basis of a forged arms licence purportedly issued from Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. A case has been registered under the Arms Act, cheating, and other applicable sections.
Why was Qadri not arrested earlier in this case?
Qadri was already lodged in jail in connection with a separate criminal case at the time investigators sought to arrest him in the fake arms licence matter. Police acted immediately upon his bail release, arresting him before he could abscond further.
How many criminal cases does Anwar Qadri have against him?
Qadri has more than 27 criminal cases registered against him at various police stations in Indore. The charges include murder, attempt to murder, robbery, extortion, assault, and illegal possession of arms. Preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA) has also been invoked against him in the past.
What happens next in the investigation?
Qadri has been produced before a court following his arrest. Police are verifying the origin of the allegedly forged arms licence and investigating the role of all persons involved. Further legal action will follow based on evidence collected, according to DCP Narendra Rawat.
