Delhi elections: 25% AAP candidates, 20% of BJP named in criminal cases

As many as 672 candidates are contesting Delhi elections and 32 of them are accused of crimes against women, says Association of Democratic Reforms.

As many as 25 per cent AAP candidates and 20 per cent of BJP contestants in the fray for the February 8 Delhi assembly polls have declared serious criminal cases against them in their affidavits, according to the Association of Democratic Reforms.

Fifteen per cent of Congress candidates also have declared serious criminal cases against them, the ADR said. In the Delhi assembly polls, 672 candidates are in the fray, one less than in 2015.

The three richest candidates are from the AAP. They are Dharampal Lakra from Mundka (Rs 292 crore), Parmila Tokas from R K Puram (Rs 80 crore) and Ram Singh Netaji from Badarpur (Rs 80 crore).

"Out of 672 candidates analysed, 133 (20 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In the 2015 Delhi assembly elections, out of 673 candidates analysed, 114 (17 per cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves," the ADR said.

It said 32 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 32 candidates, one candidate has declared cases related to rape. Four contestants have declared cases related to attempt to murder.

Eight have declared cases related to hate speech, said ADR.