he Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) have revealed that around 35 per cent chief ministers have criminal cases against them. The report also analyses the gap between the wealth of India's richest and poorest CMs.
The ADR and National Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of current CMs in state assemblies and Union territories across the nation. These were the most recent affidavits filed by them prior to contesting the elections.
Criminal cases
"Out of the all 31 chief ministers analysed from state assemblies and Union territories, 11 (35 per cent) chief ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves," the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report noted.
Further, 26 per cent CMs have declared serious criminal cases, including related to murder, attempt to murder, cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, and criminal intimidation.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has one charge related to murder (IPC Section-302), attempt to murder (IPC Section-307), Punishment for Rioting (IPC Section-147) among others. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has two charges related to Abetment of such assault, if the assault is committed (IPC Section-134), one charge related to voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means (IPC Section-324).
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has two charges related to cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (IPC Section-420), two charges related to Forgery of valuable security, will, etc. (IPC Section-467), two charges related to Forgery for purpose of cheating (IPC Section-468) and one charge related to Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent (IPC Section-409)among others.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has four charges related to Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty (IPC Section-332), five charges related to Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant (IPC Section-188), four charges related to every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed and four charges related to Defamation (IPC Section-499).
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has a charged related to Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class (IPC Section-295) among others.
Wealth
In India, 81 per cent of the total CMs are crorepatis and two of them have assets over Rs 100 crore. The average assets of CMs are worth Rs 16.18 crore, PTI reported.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandra Babu Naidu is the wealthiest chief minister with declared assets worth over Rs 177 crore while the lowest declared asset is of Tripura CM Manik Sarkar (Rs 27 lakh).
Education and Gender
In terms of educational qualification, 10 per cent of 31 chief ministers are 12th pass, 39 per cent graduate, 32 per cent graduate professional, 16 per cent post graduate and 3 per cent doctorate.
The sex ratio is, however, skewed as out of 31 there are only three female CMs.
