A recent report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in collaboration with National Election Watch (NEW) has brought to light the criminal and financial profiles of ministers currently serving in various State Assemblies, Union Territories, and the Union Council of Ministers. This analysis is based on self-sworn affidavits (Form 26) submitted by ministers at the time of elections held between 2020 and 2025. Of the 652 ministers, the data of 643 was examined across 27 states, three Union Territories, and the central government.
Criminal Background
According to the findings, 302 ministers, which account for approximately 47 percent of those analysed, have declared criminal cases against themselves. More concerning is that 174 of them, or 27 percent, are facing serious criminal charges, including cases related to murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women. The report notes that the current legal status of these cases may have changed since the affidavits were filed, and could vary depending on each individual case.
A closer look at Tamil Nadu reveals particularly troubling figures. Among the 31 ministers from the DMK party, 27 (or 87 percent) have admitted to having criminal cases, while 14 (45 percent) have been charged with serious criminal offences. This trend mirrors broader national patterns, where several political parties have a significant number of ministers with criminal backgrounds.
When broken down by party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 136 out of 336 ministers (40 percent) with declared criminal cases, while 88 of them (26 percent) face serious charges. The Indian National Congress (INC) shows similar trends with 45 out of 61 ministers (74 percent) having criminal cases, and 18 (30 percent) dealing with serious charges. Other parties such as the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), and Shiv Sena also show significant proportions of their ministers facing criminal allegations.
Financial Background
On the financial front, the report reveals that the average assets held by ministers across states, UTs, and the Union Council amount to ₹37.21 crore. The total combined wealth of the 643 ministers is estimated at ₹23,929 crore. Among them, 36 ministers, or around 6 percent, are classified as billionaires, holding assets exceeding ₹100 crore. Karnataka leads with the highest number of billionaire ministers at eight, followed by Andhra Pradesh with six, and Maharashtra with four. Other states including Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana each have two billionaire ministers, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have one each. The Union Council of Ministers also includes six billionaires out of a total of 72 members.
From a party perspective, the BJP has the highest number of wealthy ministers, with 14 billionaires among its ranks. The INC follows with 11 billionaire ministers out of 61, and the TDP with six out of 23, the latter accounting for the highest proportion of billionaires in any party.
Special Analysis Of Tamil Nadu Cabinet
A special analysis of Tamil Nadu’s cabinet after the 2021 state elections shows the extent of both criminal and financial entanglements among its ministers. R. Gandhi, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, tops the list with declared assets worth ₹47.94 crore and three serious criminal cases against him. He holds only a 10th standard education qualification. The second wealthiest is Industries Minister TRB Raja with assets of ₹41.81 crore and two serious cases registered. Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan ranks third, with declared assets of ₹38.89 crore and four criminal cases.
Minister Duraimurugan follows, with wealth amounting to ₹30.80 crore and a total of eight criminal cases, including two serious ones. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin ranks fifth, holding assets valued at ₹29.07 crore, while having 22 criminal cases registered against him. Minister E.V. Velu is next with assets worth ₹23.32 crore and seven criminal cases, two of which are serious. Minister Saminathan holds assets of ₹21.07 crore and is involved in three criminal cases, including two serious ones. Minister Raghupathi, with assets totaling ₹15.32 crore, has 23 criminal cases against him.
Minister Muthusamy owns assets worth ₹13.68 crore and is facing nine criminal cases. Minister Sivashankar rounds out the top ten with assets worth ₹13.55 crore but is burdened with 46 criminal cases, including seven serious charges.
Overall, the report highlights that 87 percent of Tamil Nadu’s ministers have declared criminal cases against them, and nearly half are facing serious criminal allegations. The findings paint a sobering picture of the political landscape, raising critical questions about the integrity of public representatives and the need for stronger electoral reforms.