2024-08-22 16:07:59
New Delhi: Protests are going on across the country over the Kolkata doctor rape-murder. Meanwhile, the Badlapur incident in Maharashtra has also shaken the entire country. People are coming out on the streets demanding strict laws. But in the Parliament, which has the power to make laws, there are hundreds of MPs against whom cases related to crimes against women are going on. A report has revealed that 151 current MPs and MLAs have cases of crimes against women registered against them. More than one third of them, i.e. 54, are associated with the BJP.
151 MPs and MLAs have cases of crimes against women
This report has been prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW). The report analysed the election affidavits of 4,693 out of 4,809 MPs and MLAs. These include 755 out of 775 MPs and 4,033 out of 4,693 MLAs. The analysis revealed a shocking fact that 16 current MPs and MLAs have rape charges against them. Of these, 2 are MPs. Out of the 151 leaders who have cases of crimes against women registered against them, 16 are current MPs and 135 are current MLAs.
How many cases against which party’s leaders?
According to the ADR report, BJP leaders are at the top with 54 cases related to crimes against women. After this, cases are registered against 23 Congress and 17 TDP leaders. Five MPs and MLAs each from BJP and Congress have been accused of rape. One MP or MLA each from Aam Aadmi Party, BSP, AIUDF, Trinamool Congress and TDP have been accused of rape.
Which state is ahead?
According to the report, West Bengal leads the list of states with the highest number of sitting MPs and MLAs declaring cases related to crimes against women with 25 cases. Andhra Pradesh is second with 21 and Odisha with 17 sitting MPs and MLAs facing charges. Out of 151, 16 sitting MPs/MLAs have declared rape-related cases, of which two are sitting MPs and 14 are sitting MLAs.
Information to be given in election affidavit
The Supreme Court had in 2020 made it mandatory that political parties must publicly disclose why they are giving tickets to candidates with criminal cases. ADR had recommended that candidates with criminal background should be barred from contesting elections. In addition, ADR has recommended that court cases against MPs and MLAs should be dealt with swiftly and resolved within a fixed time frame, police investigations should be monitored by courts. Voters are also urged to avoid electing candidates who have self-declared cases related to crimes against women and other serious crimes.