40% of Chief Ministers face criminal cases: ADR

Of the 30 Chief Ministers in the country, 12 (40%) declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a new report by Association for Democratic Reforms.

Telangana’s Revanth Reddy has declared 89 cases against him, the highest, followed by Tamil Nadu’s M.K. Stalin, who has declared 47.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has declared 19 cases, Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah 13, and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren five.

Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Sukhvinder Singh have declared four cases each, Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan two, and Punjab’s Bhagwant Mann one.

Bill to remove PM, CMs

The report comes even as the government has introduced three bills that seek the removal of Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers arrested for 30 days on serious criminal charges.

According to the ADR report, 10 of the Chief Ministers (33%) have declared serious criminal cases, including cases related to attempt to murder, kidnapping, bribery, and criminal intimidation against them.

The poll rights body said it analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 30 sitting Chief Ministers in State Assemblies and Union Territories.

This data is from the affidavits they filed prior to contesting their last elections.