Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have emerged as the states with the highest percentage of ministers facing criminal charges, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch.
A staggering 88% of ministers in both states have criminal cases registered against them, with 56% facing serious criminal charges. The report, based on the analysis of affidavits submitted by ministers from 27 states and three Union Territories, paints a concerning picture of the political landscape.
In Odisha, out of 16 ministers, 14 have criminal cases, and nine face serious criminal charges. Among them, Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra has 15 cases, Rabi Narayan Naik 17, Pravati Parida 9, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena 10, Gokulananda Mallik 6, Suryabanshi Suraj 5, Nityananda Gond 4, Krushna Chandra Patra 3, Sampad Chandra Swain 3, Suresh Pujari 2, Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo 2, Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia 1, Mukesh Mahaling 1, and Mohan Charan Majhi 1.
The report also highlights the wealth of Odisha’s ministers. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo is the richest, with assets worth over ₹67.30 crore. Cooperation Minister Pradeep Bala Samanta holds assets exceeding ₹17.3 crore, while Supply Minister Krushna Chandra Patra has assets worth over ₹7.66 crore.
In Andhra Pradesh, 22 out of 25 ministers face criminal cases, with 14 charged with serious offences. Across India, 11 states have more than 60% of their ministers facing criminal cases, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Puducherry. Conversely, no ministers in Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, and Uttarakhand have criminal cases.
The ADR report raises questions about the integrity of political leadership and the need for stricter scrutiny of candidates with criminal backgrounds.
