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New Delhi: As many as 151 sitting MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women in their election declarations, with West Bengal having the highest number of MLAs facing such cases, according to a recent report by an electoral rights body.
To prepare the report, the Association for Democratic Reforms examined 4,693 of the 4,809 affidavits of sitting MPs and MLAs submitted to the Election Commission of India between 2019 and 2024 elections. The group found that 16 MPs and 135 MLAs were facing cases related to crimes against women.
The report showed that West Bengal topped the list with 25 sitting MPs and MLAs facing charges related to crimes against women, followed by Andhra Pradesh (21) and Odisha (17). The protests are taking place across India over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata and the sexual assault of two children in Thane.
According to reports, 16 sitting MPs and MLAs have declared cases related to rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and can extend to life imprisonment. Among them, there are two MPs and 14 MLAs.
The allegations include repeat offenses against the same victims, further highlighting the seriousness of these cases.
The report showed that among the political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of representatives (54 MPs and MLAs) who have declared cases of crime against women, followed by the Congress (23) and the Telugu Pawan Dal Party (TDP) (17).
Both the BJP and the Congress have five sitting MPs facing rape charges.
In response to these findings, the ADR made strong recommendations. It stressed that political parties must avoid giving votes to candidates with criminal backgrounds, especially those accused of rape and other crimes against women.
The report calls for expediting cases against MPs and MLAs and ensuring professional and thorough police investigations.
ADR urged voters to avoid electing candidates who have been accused of such things.
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