Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) have analysed that out of 755 sitting MPs and 3938 sitting MLAs analysed, 151 sitting MPs/MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women.
Among these 151 sitting MPs/MLAs with declared cases related to Crimes against women, 16 are sitting MPs and 135 are sitting MLAs. 151 sitting MPs/MLAs have declared cases of Crimes against women.
Both ADR and NEW have analysed 4693 out 4809 election affidavits of sitting MPs and MLAs. This report analyses 755 out of 776 affidavits of sitting MPs and 3938 out of 4033 sitting MLAs from all the 28 states and 8 union territories of India in the last 5 years.
It also includes analysis of the affidavits submitted for bye elections held during the 5 years’ period due to resignation, death or vacation of seat due to some other reason. The data has been extracted from the affidavits (Form 26) submitted to the ECI by candidates (now MPs and MLAs) at the time of elections held in the years between 2019 to 2024.
The current status of the criminal cases taken from these affidavits and given in the present report is not known and may vary on a case by case basis. The completeness, timelines and instant status of all data and information used in the report are dependent upon diverse resources of such data and information, which are outside of ADR’s control.
Among various parties, BJP has the highest number of sitting MPs/ MLAs i.e., 54, followed by INC with 23 and TDP with 17 sitting MPs/MLAs who have declared cases related to crimes against women.
Among the states, West Bengal has the highest number of sitting MPs/ MLAs i.e., 25, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 21 and Odisha with 17 sitting MPs/MLAs who have declared cases related crimes against women.
All major political parties give tickets to candidates with cases of crimes against women especially rape and therefore hindering the safety and dignity of women as citizens. These are serious cases where charges have been framed and cognizance have been taken by the court.
ADR and NEW have strongly asked that candidates with a criminal background should be debarred from contesting elections. As directed by the Supreme Court in February 2020, Political parties should declare reasons why candidates with criminal cases are given tickets to contest elections.
It also said that court Cases against MPs and MLAs should be fast tracked and decided upon in a time bound manner with court monitored professional and thorough investigation by Police. It appealed that voters should desist from electing candidates with self-declared cases related to crime against women and other heinous crimes.