Dacoit Kalli Gurjar arrested in Morena encounter, ₹80,000 reward criminal nabbed
Synopsis
Dacoit Kalli Gurjar — wanted in around 20 cases across three districts and reportedly active on social media while on the run — was finally arrested after a gunfight with police near Lalitapura village in Morena. His capture, along with associate Ajay Gurjar, ends a multi-district manhunt, but several gang members remain at large in the Chambal forests.
Key Takeaways
Kalli Gurjar (real name Kiledar Gurjar ), a dacoit carrying an ₹80,000 reward, was arrested on 5 November in Morena, Madhya Pradesh .
He sustained a bullet injury to his leg during an encounter in a forest area near Lalitapura village under Banmore police station .
His associate Ajay Gurjar was also arrested; other gang members escaped into the forest.
Kalli faces approximately 20 criminal cases — including murder and robbery — across Morena , Gwalior , and Sheopur districts, and was also wanted in Rajasthan .
Police seized firearms and ammunition from the arrested duo; a search operation for the remaining gang members is ongoing.
Notorious dacoit Kalli Gurjar — real name Kiledar Gurjar — was arrested on Thursday, 5 November following a brief encounter with police in a forest area near Lalitapura village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. The criminal, who carried a cumulative reward of ₹80,000, sustained a bullet injury to his leg during the exchange of fire. His associate Ajay Gurjar was also arrested, while other gang members fled into the forest.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Acting on specific intelligence about the gang's movement, a police team reached the forest area under Banmore police station limits at approximately 10 am. According to police, the gang opened fire first, prompting personnel to retaliate in self-defence. Both Kalli Gurjar and Ajay Gurjar sustained gunshot wounds and were taken into custody. The remaining gang members escaped deeper into the forest.
Morena Superintendent of Police Dharmaraj Meena confirmed the sequence of events. 'The gang opened fire at the police team, following which the personnel retaliated in self-defence. Kalli and his associate Ajay sustained bullet injuries and were arrested, while the other members managed to escape,' Meena said. Both arrested men were subsequently shifted to the district hospital for treatment. Police also seized firearms and ammunition from them.
Criminal Background and Reward History
A resident of Chachul village in Morena district, Kalli Gurjar faces approximately 20 criminal cases — including murder, robbery, and attempt to murder — spread across Morena, Gwalior, and Sheopur districts. His reward, initially set at ₹60,000 across different cases, was later revised upward to ₹80,000. He was additionally wanted in connection with criminal activities in neighbouring Rajasthan.
Police teams from three districts had been conducting coordinated searches for the accused for several days prior to Thursday's operation, underscoring the multi-jurisdictional pressure on the gang.
Social Media Activity and Rival Challenges
Notably, Kalli Gurjar had reportedly remained active on social media even while evading law enforcement, repeatedly issuing public challenges to his rival Karua Gurjar. This brazen online activity had drawn additional attention from police, raising questions about oversight of criminal communications in the Chambal region, an area with a long history of dacoit activity.
Ongoing Search Operation
Police have launched a fresh search operation to trace the gang members who escaped during Thursday's encounter. Further investigation into the full extent of the gang's criminal network — including its activities in Rajasthan — is currently underway, according to officials.
Point of View
But the escape of other gang members into the Chambal forest highlights the limits of reactive encounter-based policing. The fact that a wanted dacoit with 20 cases across three districts could remain active on social media — openly challenging rivals — exposes a glaring surveillance gap. The Chambal region's dacoit problem has historically regenerated itself when top operatives are removed without dismantling the network; the real test now is whether investigators can roll up the gang before it reconstitutes. Multi-state coordination between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will be critical.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kalli Gurjar and why was he wanted by police?
Kalli Gurjar, also known by his full name Kiledar Gurjar, is a dacoit from Chachul village in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh. He faces approximately 20 criminal cases — including murder, robbery, and attempt to murder — across Morena, Gwalior, and Sheopur districts, and was also wanted for criminal activities in Rajasthan.
How much reward was announced for Kalli Gurjar's arrest?
A cumulative reward of ₹80,000 had been announced for Kalli Gurjar. The bounty was initially set at ₹60,000 across different cases and was subsequently increased to ₹80,000.
What happened during the Morena encounter on 5 November?
A police team reached a forest area near Lalitapura village under Banmore police station at around 10 am after receiving specific intelligence. According to police, the gang opened fire first; police retaliated in self-defence, injuring Kalli Gurjar and his associate Ajay Gurjar, who were then arrested. Other gang members fled into the forest.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Both arrested men — Kalli Gurjar and Ajay Gurjar — are receiving treatment at the district hospital. Police seized firearms and ammunition from them and have launched a search operation for the remaining gang members who escaped. Further investigation is ongoing, according to officials.
Was Kalli Gurjar active on social media while evading police?
Yes, according to police, Kalli Gurjar had reportedly remained active on social media while on the run, repeatedly issuing public challenges to his rival Karua Gurjar. His online activity had drawn additional police attention even as multi-district teams searched for him.
