Nearly one-fourth Rajya Sabha candidates have criminal record: Study

Nearly a quarter of the candidates contesting the Rajya Sabha elections have criminal cases against them, said a study Wednesday.

Of the 58 candidates whose affidavits have been analysed, 14 (24 percent) have declared criminal cases against them, the National Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms said.

There are two candidates with serious criminal cases, including charges of murder, kidnapping and crime against women.

The organisations analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 58 of the 59 candidates contesting for the 55 Rajya Sabha seats across 16 states.

The affidavit of Wansuk Syiem, Congress candidate from Meghalaya, could not be analysed due to non-availability of affidavit.

As many as 50 (86 percent) candidates are crorepatis, the study said, adding that their average asset is Rs.44.74 crore.

Among the 21 re-contesting candidates, T. Subbarami Reddy of the Congress has shown the highest growth in assets with an increase of Rs.164.19 crore in six years.

A total of 42 (72 percent) candidates are graduates or have higher degrees and 15 (26 percent) have educational qualification of class 12 and below.

Only seven (12 percent) candidates are women.