More than one-third sitting MLAs in Karnataka have criminal cases

Even as parties are finalising the candidates for the Assembly elections in Karnataka, a quick recap of sitting MLAs shows that 35 per cent of them had criminal cases against them when they were elected in 2013.

Interestingly, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court earlier this year that of the 1,765 MPs and MLAs across the country, 36 per cent were facing criminal trial. This resulted in the SC giving a go ahead to set up special courts to try criminal cases against elected representatives.

The Wealthiest MLAs:
A majority of MLAs declared assets of over Rs 5 crore. Govindarajnagar MLA Priyakrishna with Rs 910-crore assets was the richest MLA.

Education:
As many as 128 (62per cent ) MLAs were graduates and above

Age:
A large number of MLAs are middle-aged, with 75 of them in the age group of 41-50

Women:
In 2008, the number of women legislators in Karnataka was just 3. This rose ton 6 in 2013

(Note: ADR analysed only 207 of the 224 MLAs. Those left out are no longer MLAs or because their affidavits were poorly scanned.)