According to a recent analysis by a poll rights agency, as many as 151 sitting MPs and MLAs have reported cases linked to crimes against women in their election affidavits. West Bengal has the largest number of politicians facing such cases.

4,693 of the 4,809 affidavits that current MPs and MLAs submitted to the Election Commission of India during elections between 2019 and 2024 were reviewed by the Association for Democratic Reforms in order to compile the report. The group found that 135 MLAs and 16 MPs were being investigated for crimes against women.

The report, which comes amid nationwide protests over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a state-run hospital in Kolkata and the sexual assault of two children in Thane, puts West Bengal at the top of the list with 25 sitting MPs and MLAs facing charges related to crimes against women. Andhra Pradesh comes in second with 21 and Odisha with 17.

As to the report, 16 MPs and MLAs in office have filed complaints pertaining to rape under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment. There are 14 MLAs and two MPs among them.

The seriousness of these crimes is further highlighted by the charges, which include multiple offences against the same victim.

According to the report, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the most representatives (54 MPs and MLAs) among political parties with declared cases pertaining to crimes against women. The Congress has 23 legislators, and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has 17.

There are five current lawmakers from the BJP and Congress who are all accused of rape.

In reaction to these discoveries, the ADR has released strong recommendations. It emphasised how political parties should not support candidates with criminal records, particularly those accused of rape or other crimes against women.

In order to ensure that police investigations are conducted professionally and thoroughly, the study recommended expediting court cases against MPs and MLAs.

Voters were advised by the ADR not to support candidates who had similar accusations.