The political parties in the State have fielded candidates with criminal background with some accused in heinous crimes like sexual assault and kidnapping.
While over 600 candidates are in the fray for 87 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, details are available for 421 candidates.
“Most of the candidates having criminal background are independent candidates. Bhim Singh’s Jammu and Kashmir National Pathers Party (JKNPP) and Congress have second largest proportion of criminal candidates,” according to an analysis compiled by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Out of 421 candidates analysed by ADR, 21 criminal cases have been registered against 14 candidates (5 percent).
“Independent candidates account for 9 cases, JKNPP 3, Congress 2, BJP and NC have one candidate each with 2 criminal cases while PDP, Peoples Conference and NCP have one candidate each with criminal brackground,” reads the ADR research.
ADR said the current analysis of candidates fielded by some of political parties shows that they continue to give tickets to candidates with serious criminal cases. “We recommend that political parties should refrain from giving tickets to candidates with a serious criminal background”.
Out of 175 candidates contesting the second phase of elections, 9 (5%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves which include 6 (3%) candidates with Serious Criminal Cases related to kidnapping and forgery.
In the third phase, 9 candidates have declared criminal cases in their affidavits out of the 138 candidates.
As per the ADR data, party wise details shows that 2 out of 33 candidates from Congress, 3 out of 34 candidates from NC, 1 out of 25 candidates from BJP, 2 out of 16 candidates from JKNPP and 7 out of 106 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. It included crime of serious nature.
Basharat Hussain Najar of Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) from Pattan constituency has declared a case of attempt to murder (IPC Section – 307). Similarly, Zahid Hussain of Congress from Chrar-I- Sharief constituency has declared a case of robbery (IPC Section – 392).
Balwant Singh Mankotia of JKNPP from Udhampur constituency has declared a case related to kidnapping (IPC Section-363).
NPP’s candidate from Reasi Balwan Singh has two criminal cases registered against him under different section of IPC including charge related to theft after preparation made for causing death.
Wali Muhmmad Bhat of Kupwara of NC has two cases related to cheating and forgery, Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal of PDP from Bhaderwah is accused of forgery, Usman Majid of Congress too has a criminal case, Peer Nazim-udDin, Congress’s Kulgam candidate is charged with criminal breach of trust by public servant (IPC section-409) and Abdul Rehman Wani of Peoples Conference’s Lolab (Kupwara) faced charges related to punishment of criminal conspiracy (IPC section-120b)
An independent candidate from Poonch Haveli Javid Iqbal has charge related to Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (IPC Section-354), charge related to voluntarily causing hurt (IPC Section-323), charge related to wrongful restraint
The list also includes Zulfqar Hussain Khan (BJP) and independent candidates, Ajaz Ahmad Sofi and Nisar Hussain Shah.
Besides, the parties have also fielded tainted politicians who are allegedly involved in some cases including scams and assault on women.