The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Indore has granted bail to Anwar Kadri, who was arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy involving forced religious conversion and sexual assault. The court considered the extent of his alleged role and noted that the principal accused in the case had already been granted bail earlier.
Background of the Case
The bail order was passed by Justice Subodh Abhyankar on February 4, 2026, while hearing the first bail application filed by Anwar Kadri. The application was filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Criminal Procedure Code.
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Kadri was arrested in connection with Crime No. 800/2025 registered at Banganga Police Station in Indore. The case includes charges under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021. He had been in judicial custody since August 29, 2025.
The prosecution alleged that Kadri played a role in facilitating the religious conversion of the prosecutrix. However, the primary allegation of rape was levelled against co-accused Sahil, who had already secured bail from the High Court in November 2025.
Arguments Before the Court
Counsel appearing for Kadri argued that the applicant’s name did not appear in the prosecutrix’s statements and that there was no independent evidence linking him to the alleged offences. The defence submitted that the only reference to Kadri came from a memorandum statement of the co-accused, which, according to the defence, was insufficient to establish his involvement.
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The defence further emphasised that Kadri had been in jail for over five months and that the trial was likely to take a considerable amount of time to conclude. On these grounds, the defence urged the court to grant bail.
Opposing the plea, the State counsel submitted that the applicant had a criminal history with eighteen cases registered against him. The prosecution also informed the court that the case diary was not available at the time of the hearing.
Court’s Observations
After hearing both sides, the court examined the available record, including the charge sheet produced by the defence. Justice Abhyankar noted the nature and extent of the allegations against Kadri and also considered the fact that the co-accused, against whom the primary rape allegations were made, had already been granted bail.
“The court, after perusal of documents and taking note of the extent of involvement… is inclined to allow the present bail application,” the bench observed while clarifying that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
Bail Conditions Imposed
The High Court directed that Kadri be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of ₹25,000 along with one solvent surety of the same amount to the satisfaction of the trial court. The court further ordered that he must remain present before the trial court during proceedings and comply with statutory bail conditions.
Taking note of Kadri’s criminal antecedents, the bench imposed an additional restriction. The court ordered him to mark his attendance at the concerned police station every Sunday between 12 noon and 4 pm until the conclusion of the trial.
The court also made it clear that any violation of the bail conditions would allow the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail before the trial court.
Decision
Allowing the application, the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered the release of Anwar Kadri on bail subject to compliance with the specified conditions and disposed of the case accordingly.
Case Title: Anwar Kadri vs State of Madhya Pradesh
Case No.: MCRC No. 58287 of 2025
Decision Date: February 4, 2026
