BHOPAL :  Sitting BJP MLA and minister Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, KP Singh of Congress and Manawar legislator Ranjana Baghel are among those public representatives who have been booked for criminal offence, says a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). After analyzing affidavits of 225 MLAs submitted in 2013 assembly elections ADR has found that 28 MLAs from ruling BJP, 12 from Congress, 1 from BSP and 2 independent legislators are being tried for serious offences. BJP’s Pawaiya Congress’ Singh have been charged under section IPC section 395 that is related to dacoity, while Manawar MLA Ranjana Baghel has been booked under IPC section 171 C ( undue influence at elections).

The analysis by the ADR and MP Election Watch found that 68 MLAs, that accounts for 30% of the total public representatives have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavit. Compared to 2008 there was a rise of 4%. In all 43 MLAS, ie 19%, had declared serious offenses against them. In 2008, 26 MLAs declared serious offences. Party wise analysis reveals that 44 MLAs out of total 162 (in 2013) of the BJP were facing serious criminal charges. In Congress, 28 out of total 56 MLAs were charged with criminal offences. All charges in which punishment exceeds more than 5 years come under serious offences. Moreover, non-bailable offences, crimes related to elections, murder, kidnapping etc are considered as serious offences. Most of the MLAs have been charged with Section 332, charges related to voluntary causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty, IPC 506 charges related to criminal intimidation, IPC 147 related to rioting, IPC 148 rioting armed with deadly weapon and Section 294 related to obscene