19 Lok Sabha MPs accused of crimes against women, up from 2 in 2009: ADR
The number of Lok Sabha MPs with cases related to crimes against women has increased from two in 2009 to 19 in 2019, according to election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The number of Lok Sabha election candidates with cases of crimes against women went up from 38 to 126, an increase of 231 percent, during the period, an ADR report said. The BJP has 21 MPs and MLAs accused of crimes against women--the highest among political parties recognised by the Election Commission of India. The Congress party has 16 and YSR Congress Party, which governs Andhra Pradesh, has 7 lawmakers who have declared cases related to crimes against women in their election affidavits. According to ADR, there are nine MPs/MLAs who have declared cases related to rape. Out of these, 3 are MPs and 6 are MLAs. West Bengal reported the highest number of MPs/MLAs (16) who declared cases of crimes against women, followed by Odisha and Maharashtra with 12 MPs/MLAs each. Read More