New Delhi. 151 current MPs and MLAs in the country have given information about cases related to crimes against women in their election affidavits. Among these, the number of MPs and MLAs is the highest in West Bengal. This information was given in a report of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
ADR examined 4,693 of the 4,809 affidavits of sitting MPs and MLAs submitted to the Election Commission during the elections between 2019 and 2024. After which 16 MPs and 135 MLAs facing cases related to crimes against women were identified. According to the report, West Bengal tops the list with 25 MPs and MLAs facing charges related to crimes against women, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 21 and Odisha with 17 MPs-MLAs.
The report comes at a time when nationwide protests are being held over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata and the sexual assault of two girls in Thane. According to the report, there are 16 sitting MPs and MLAs who have reported cases related to rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which carries a minimum punishment of 10 years and can be extended to life imprisonment. Of these, two are MPs and 14 are MLAs. The allegations also include repeated incidents of crime against the same victim, which further underlines the seriousness of these cases.
According to the report, among political parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of MPs and MLAs with 54 cases against them related to crimes against women. This is followed by Congress with 23 and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 17 MPs and MLAs.
Five sitting MPs and MLAs from both the BJP and the Congress are facing rape charges.
ADR, an organization working for electoral reforms, stressed the need for political parties to refrain from giving tickets to candidates with criminal background, especially those accused of rape and other crimes against women. The report calls for speedy hearing of court cases against MPs and MLAs and ensuring professional and thorough investigation by the police.