MUMBAI: A study conducted by Maharashtra Election Watch and Association for Democratic reforms has revealed that 18 ministers-12 belonging to BJP and six from Shiv Sena-are facing serious criminal cases.

Maharashtra has 39 ministers, BJP and its smaller allies have 27 berths and Sena 12. The 39 ministers have disclosed the status of criminal cases, assets, liabilities and educational qualifications in their affidavits filed before the Election Commission. Thirty-four cases have been filed against Sadashiv Khot , the minister of state (MoS) for agriculture, of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis faces 22 cases. All these cases have been registered against them for participating in "agitations for the cause of the people".

Thirty-two ministers are crorepatis. MoS for industries Pravin Pote is worth over Rs 75 crore, followed by minister of state for home Deepak Kesarkar - Rs 48.52 crore, while minister of state for social justice Dilip Kamble has declared the lowest assets - Rs 14 lakh.

On educational qualifications of the cabinet members, it was found that two ministers, were 5th standard pass, one was Ph.D, 12 were graduates, one was eighth pass and five had professional qualifications. Four ministers were in the age group of 25 to 40 years, 14 were between 41 to 50, 15 were between 51 to 60 and six were above 61, while there were only two women cabinet members in the Fadnavis government.