A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed that at least 151 Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) are currently facing charges related to crimes against women.
The report, released on Wednesday, examined affidavits from 755 sitting MPs and 3,938 sitting MLAs across all 28 states and eight Union Territories in India over the past five years.
The analysis identified that out of the 151 legislators facing such charges, 16 are MPs, while the remaining 135 are MLAs. The report highlighted that two MPs and 14 MLAs are accused of rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code.
Other charges against the legislators include acid attacks, molestation, sexual harassment, assault with intent to disrobe, voyeurism, stalking, trafficking of minors for prostitution, and marital cruelty.
The report further detailed that the BJP has the highest number of sitting legislators facing charges for crimes against women, with 54 MPs or MLAs implicated. The Congress party follows with 23 legislators, and the Telugu Desam Party has 17 sitting MPs or MLAs who have declared similar cases.
Geographically, West Bengal tops the list of states with the most legislators facing charges for crimes against women, with 25 implicated. Andhra Pradesh ranks second with 21 legislators, followed by Odisha with 17.
ADR has expressed serious concerns about the influence and power wielded by these legislators, which can potentially undermine the judicial process and affect the course of justice.
The organisation has recommended that candidates with criminal backgrounds should be barred from contesting elections. Additionally, political parties should be required to provide justifications for fielding candidates with criminal cases, as mandated by a 2020 Supreme Court ruling.