New Delhi: A recent report by a poll rights organization reveals that 151 current Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have disclosed criminal cases related to violence against women in their election declarations. West Bengal tops the list with the highest number of lawmakers facing such charges.The Association for Democratic Reforms analyzed 4,693 election affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India by sitting MPs and MLAs between 2019 and 2024. Their review found that 151 lawmakers - including 16 MPs and 135 MLAs - are facing charges related to crimes against women.West Bengal tops list of lawmakers facing chargesAccording to the report, West Bengal has the highest number of lawmakers facing charges related to crimes against women, with 25 sitting MPs and MLAs implicated. Andhra Pradesh ranks second with 21, followed by Odisha with 17. This report comes at a time when the nation is witnessing widespread outrage over recent cases of sexual violence, including the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata and the sexual assault of two children in Thane.Rape charges against lawmakersThe report reveals that 16 sitting lawmakers - including 2 Members of Parliament (MPs) and 14 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) - have disclosed rape charges against them. These charges fall under IPC section 376, which carries a minimum punishment of 10 years in prison and can extend to life imprisonment.The charges are even more alarming, as they involve repeated instances of abuse against the same victim, highlighting the severe and prolonged nature of these crimes.BJP leads in cases against womenThe report reveals that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the most lawmakers (54) facing charges related to crimes against women, followed by the Congress party with 23 and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 17. This means that among the major political parties, BJP has the highest number of representatives accused of such crimes.
