44% MLAs In Odisha Have Declared Criminal Cases, Highest From BJD With One Accused Of Rape: Report

Bhubaneswar: A recent analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has claimed that an approximate 44 per cent of MLAs in Odisha assembly have declared criminal cases against themselves.

While 64 of 145 MLA analysed from Odisha have declared criminal cases in their self-sworn affidavits, 46 (32%) among them have serious offences, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women, pending against them. Two MLAs – Jaya Narayan Mishra (BJP) and Ramesh Chandra Jena (Congress) – have murder cases, while attempt to murder cases have been registered against 11 MLAs – Debesh Acharya (BJD), Chakramani Kanhar (BJD), Purna Chandra Swain (BJD), Brajakishore Pradhan (BJD), Dhruba Charan Sahoo (BJD) Rudra Pratap Maharathy (BJD), Shankar Oram (BJP), Prakash Soren (BJP), Jaya Narayan Mishra (BJP) and Santosh Singh Saluja (Congress).

Twelve MLAs are accused of atrocities against women. One MLA, Brajakishore Pradhan (BJD), in Odisha has rape charges against him, the ADR report said.

Of the 113 MLAs of the ruling BJD, 45 (40%) and 32 (28%) have declared criminal cases and serious criminal cases against themselves, respectively.

It further said that the highest of 76% MLAs from DMK have self-declared criminal cases followed by RJD at 74% and SP at 64%. The BJP and the Congress have 35% and 46% MLAs facing criminal proceedings, respectively. Similarly, 58% MLAs of AAP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.

Kerala is at the top with 95 out of 135 MLAs, accounting for 70 per cent, having declared criminal cases against themselves. Similarly, 161 out of 242 MLAs (67%) in Bihar, 44 out of 70 MLAs (63%) in Delhi, 175 out of 284 MLAs (62%) in Maharashtra, 72 out of 118 MLAs (61%) in Telangana, and 134 out of 224 MLAs (60%) in Tamil Nadu have declared criminal cases against themselves.