40% of Current Indian Parliamentarians Facing Criminal Charge, 25% Cite Serious Offense: ADR Report

NEW-DELHI: In a startling revelation, a recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch (NEW) has shed light on a concerning state of affairs within India's political landscape. According to ADR's analysis of self-affidavits submitted by 763 sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) from 776 Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats, a staggering 40 percent of the country's current parliamentarians have criminal cases registered against them. Even more worrisome is the fact that 25 percent of these MPs have declared serious criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women.

The ADR report further delves into the financial aspects of the nation's lawmakers, revealing that the average property value of each Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MP stands at a significant Rs 38.33 crore. Astonishingly, 7 percent of these MPs are billionaires, with their wealth reaching substantial heights.

Taking a closer look at the distribution of wealth among MPs, Telangana's representatives emerge as the wealthiest, boasting an average wealth of Rs 262.26 crore. They are closely followed by Andhra Pradesh (Rs 150.76 crore) and Punjab (Rs 88.94 crore).

The ADR's analysis also brings to light the prevalence of criminal cases among different political parties. Among the major parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reports that 36 percent of its 385 MPs have criminal charges against them, while the Indian National Congress sees 53 percent of its 81 MPs in a similar predicament. The Trinamool Congress has 14 out of its 36 MPs facing criminal cases, and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has six out of six MPs dealing with legal issues.

Further scrutiny of the data reveals that the seriousness of criminal charges varies across parties. Among the BJP MPs, 25 percent have declared serious criminal cases, while for Congress, the figure stands at 32 percent. The Trinamool Congress reports 19 percent, and the RJD has a high 50 percent of MPs with serious criminal charges.

The ADR report underscores the pressing need for transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability in the country's political landscape. With nearly half of the current parliamentarians facing criminal charges, questions about the state of India's democracy and the integrity of its elected officials have gained prominence.

Notably, The report, based on meticulous analysis, serves as a call to action for both political parties and the electorate to prioritize candidates with clean records and ethical values, ensuring that the nation's lawmakers truly represent the best interests of the people they serve.