233 of 539 winners who contested Lok Sabha election have criminal cases: Association of Democratic Reforms

The National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 539 out of 542 winners, who are contested in the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

There were three candidates who have not been analyzed due to the unavailability of their clear and complete affidavits, at the time of making this report.

Out of the 539 winners analysed in Lok Sabha 2019, 233 (43 per cent) winners have declared criminal cases against them.

Out of 542 winners analysed during Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 185 (34 per cent) winners had declared criminal cases against them. Out of 543 winners analysed during Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 162 (30 per cent) had declared criminal cases against thems. There is an increase of 44 per cent in the number of MPs with declared criminal cases since 2009.

At least 159 (29 per cent) winners in Lok Sabha 2019 elections have declared serious criminal cases including cases related to rape, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.

Out of 542 Winners analysed during Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 112 (21 per cent) winners had declared serious criminal cases against them. Out of 543 winners analysed during Lok Sabha elections in 2009, 76 (14 per cent) winners had declared serious criminal cases against thems. There is an increase of 109 per cent in the number of MPs with declared serious criminal cases since 2009.

An INC winner, Dean Kuriakose from Idukki constituency, has declared 204 criminal cases against him, including cases related to committing culpable homicide, house trespass, robbery and criminal intimidation.

At least 10 winners have declared convicted in various cases. At least 11 winners have declared cases related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302). There are 30 winners have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307). At least 19 winners have declared cases related to crimes against women.

Out of 19 winners, 3 winners have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376). There are 29 Winners have declared cases related to hate speech.

The chances of winning for a candidate with declared criminal cases in the Lok Sabha 2019 is 15.5 per cent whereas for a candidate with a clean background, it is 4.7 per cent.

There are 116 (39 per cent) out of 301 winners from BJP, 29 (57 per cent) out of 51 winners from INC, 10 (43 per cent) out of 23 winners from DMK, 9 (41 per cent) out of 22 winners fielded by AITC and 13 (81 per cent) out of 16 winners from JD(U) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.