The recently released Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report has revealed some startling figures on legislators. As per the ADR, no less than 45 MLAs of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have declared criminal cases against them. Out of the 45 BJD MLAs, 32 have serious criminal cases registered against them.
The data released has been sourced from the affidavits furnished by the legislators during the 2019 general elections.
As per the report, out of the 145 MLAs in Odisha, 64 legislators (44%) have criminal cases against them and 46 have serious cases. Out of the 46 MLAs, two MLAs have murder cases, while attempt to murder cases registered against 11 MLAs and 12 MLAs have atrocities against women cases registered against them.
One MLA in Odisha has rape charges against him, the ADR report said.
As far as the national figures are concerned, 1777 (44%) MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves. 1136 (28%) MLAs from State assemblies have declared serious criminal cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.
Kerala recorded the highest percentage of MLAs with criminal cases. 95 (70%) out of 135 MLAs from Kerala, 161 (67%) out of 242 MLAs from Bihar, 44 (63%) out of 70 MLAs from Delhi, 175 (62%) out of 284 MLAs from Maharashtra, 72(61%) out of 118 MLAs from Telangana and 134 (60%) out of 224 MLAs from Tamil Nadu have declared criminal cases against themselves in their self-sworn affidavits.
47 MLAs in the country have declared cases related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302) and 181 MLAs have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307).
Similarly, 114 MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 114 MLAs, 14 MLAs have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376).