45% of Indian MLAs have criminal cases against them: Report
What's the story
Nearly 45% of India's state and Union Territory lawmakers, or Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), have criminal cases against them, a recent study by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has found.
The ADR analyzed affidavits of 4,092 of 4,123 MLAs in 28 assemblies.
Of them, 29% were facing serious charges, including murder and kidnapping.
Regional analysis
Andhra Pradesh leads in MLAs with criminal cases
The analysis found Andhra Pradesh has the highest percentage of MLAs with criminal cases against them, at 79%—138 out of 174.
Next comes Kerala and Telangana (69% each), Bihar (66%), Maharashtra (65%) and Tamil Nadu (59%).
The state also tops the list for serious criminal charges against MLAs (56%) followed by Telangana (50%) and Bihar (49%).
Party-wise breakdown
TDP has highest proportion of MLAs with criminal cases
Party-wise analysis shows that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has the highest share of MLAs with criminal cases against them: 86%. Of them, 61% have serious charges.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress also have a considerable number of MLAs with criminal cases against them: around 39% and 52%, respectively.
More parties
DMK, TMC, and AAP also have MLAs with criminal cases
Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has 74% of its MLAs with criminal cases, although the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has the highest proportion overall at 86%.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are not far behind with 41% and 56%, respectively.
The report further points out that a total of 54 MLAs are facing murder charges while 226 have attempt to murder cases against them.
Additionally, 13 MLAs are accused of rape.
Financial status
MLAs facing charges have higher average assets
The report has also thrown light on the financial condition of MLAs.
It has found that 119 MLAs (3%) are billionaires, and on average, an MLA has assets worth ₹17.92 crore.
Interestingly, those with criminal charges have higher average assets at ₹20.97 crore.
BJP's Nirmal Kumar Dhara has possession of declared assets worth ₹1,700, making it the least in the list.