31% of Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases: ADR

Around 31% of Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases against themselves, of whom 16% have declared serious criminal cases, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch.

The analysis covered 226 of the 233 Rajya Sabha MPs. In the current Rajya Sabha, four seats from West Bengal are vacant. Three MPs were not analysed as their affidavits were unavailable.

Of the 226 sitting Rajya Sabha MPs analysed, 69 (31%) have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 36 (16%) have declared serious criminal cases.

According to the report, one sitting Rajya Sabha MP has declared cases related to murder, four have declared cases related to attempt to murder, and four have declared cases related to crimes against women.

Among political parties, 28 (26%) of the 107 Rajya Sabha MPs from the BJP, 12 (41%) of the 29 MPs from the Congress, two (22%) of the nine MPs from the AITC, two (25%) of the eight MPs from the DMK, and two (50%) of the four MPs from the SP have declared criminal cases.

A total of three (75%) of the four Rajya Sabha MPs from the TDP, three (100%) of the three MPs from the BRS, three (100%) of the three MPs from the CPI(M), two (67%) of the three MPs from the RJD, one (25%) of the four MPs from the AIADMK, one (25%) of the four MPs from the NCP, and one (33%) of the three MPs from the AAP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Of the 226 sitting Rajya Sabha MPs analysed, 31 (14%) are billionaires.

Among major parties, seven (7%) of the 107 Rajya Sabha MPs from the BJP, six (21%) of the 29 MPs from the Congress, two (50%) of the four MPs from the YSRCP, two (50%) of the four MPs from the TDP, two (67%) of the three MPs from the BRS, and two (50%) of the four MPs from the NCP have declared assets worth more than ₹100 crore.