Image: courtesy ADR/NEW

In what aptly describes the state of Indian politics, an analysis of self-declared affidavits reveals that of 643 ministers analysed, as many as 302 (47%) ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves. Of them a large number—174 or 27% of them—have serious criminal cases including related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc according to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW).

The information has been culled out of the self-sworn affidavits of current ministers by the ADR and NEW from state assemblies, union territories and the Union Council of Ministers. 643 out of 652 Ministers have been analysed across 27 State Assemblies, 3 Union Territories and the Union Council

This data has been extracted from the affidavits (Form 26) submitted with the ECI and filed by the candidates—the ministers in the present report at the time elections  held in the years 2020 to 2025. The highest number is from the BJP.

Ministers with criminal cases—party wise

As many as 136 (40%) of 336 ministers are from the BJP;  45(74%) of 61 ministers from Congress; 13 (33%) of 40 ministers from Trinamool Congress; 27(87%) of 31 ministers from DMK; 22(96%) of 23 ministers from TDP; 11(69%) out of 16 ministers from AAP; four (29%) of 14 ministers from JD(U) and seven (54%) of 13 ministers from Shiv Sena

Party wise ministers with serious criminal cases

As many as 88(26%) of 336 ministers are from BJP; 18(30%) of 61 ministers from INC;  eight (20%) of 40 ministers from Trinamool Congress;  14(45%) out of 31 ministers from DMK; 13(57%) of 23 ministers from TDP; five (31%)  of 16 ministers from AAP, one (7%) of 14 ministers from JD(U) and three  (23%) of 13 ministers from Shiv Sena.

Ministers with criminal cases in Union Council

As many as 29 (40%) of 72 ministers analysed from the Union Council have declared criminal cases against themselves. In the 30 state/UT Assemblies, in 11 of them more than 60% of the ministers have criminal cases registered against them. These include Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. In the four State/UT assemblies of Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland and Uttarakhand none of the ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The average of assets per minister from State/UT Assemblies and Union Council is Rs 37.21 crores.

Of the 643 ministers analysed from State/UT Assemblies and Union Council 36 (6%) are Billionaires.

The total assets of 643 Ministers are Rs. 23,929 crores.

Of the 30 State Assemblies, 11 Assemblies have billionaire ministers.

Karnataka leads with the highest number (eight) billionaire ministers followed by Andhra Pradesh with six, Maharashtra with four. Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Telangana have two each and Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab with one each.

Of 72 ministers, six (8%) are billionaires.