ADR Report Reveals 13% of Madhya Pradesh MLAs Face Pending Criminal Cases
A recent report by ADR and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch exposes that 13% of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly members have unresolved criminal cases, raising concerns about their eligibility. The report calls for Supreme Court intervention and stricter measures against political parties nominating candidates with criminal backgrounds.
A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch has revealed that approximately 13% of members in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly are facing criminal cases that could potentially disqualify them if convicted. These cases have been pending for up to 17 years, raising concerns about the electoral and political process. The ADR has called on the Supreme Court to address this issue, as it seems to be a legal void that could be exploited.
Out of the 230 members in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, 29 (13%) have criminal cases against them that would lead to disqualification if they are convicted. These cases encompass serious crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, narcotics and drug-related offenses, as well as corruption and money laundering. The relevant sections of the Representation of People Act, 1951 that outline these offenses are 8(1), 8(2), and 8(3), each corresponding to different levels of punishment.
On average, these cases have been pending against the MLAs for six months, with some individuals facing charges for more than a decade. Notably, Dilip Gurjar of the Congress has been dealing with charges for 17 years, making it the longest-standing case in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly. The report acknowledges that the status of these cases may change depending on whether the MLAs choose to file nomination papers for the upcoming elections scheduled for November 17.
The report also addresses the issue of political parties nominating candidates with criminal backgrounds. It highlights the lenient penalties imposed on parties for this practice, such as fines of ₹1 lakh or ₹5 lakh, as observed in the case of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections in August 2021. The ADR contends that the Supreme Court should take stricter measures to prevent the nomination of individuals with criminal records, as the legislature has failed to do so effectively. It underscores the need for all branches of government to work together to curb the influence of "muscle power" in Indian politics.
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