Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 | 66% sitting MLAs have criminal cases against them; Kejriwal has most

Elections for the 70-member Delhi Assembly are less than a fortnight away, with polling scheduled for February 5. The results will be out on February 8.

In the 2020 polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won 62 seats and the BJP eight, while the Congress drew a blank.

While the ruling AAP and the opposition Congress and BJP are trying to woo the voters in the national capital, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Delhi Election Watch have analysed the criminal background details of 65 out of 70 sitting MLAs. In the current assembly, 5 seats are vacant.

The analysis is based on the affidavits submitted by the candidates prior to the 2020 Assembly elections and bye elections conducted thereafter.

66% sitting MLAs have criminal cases against themselves

Out of 65 sitting MLAs analysed, 43 (66 per cent) sitting MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves. Of these 43 MLAs, 36 (55 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases.

AAP MLA from Seelampur Abdul Rehman has declared a case related to attempt to murder (IPC section 307).

13 MLAs have cases related to crimes against women

13 sitting MLAs from Delhi have declared cases related to crimes against women. Of these, AAP MLA from Rithala, Mohinder Goyal, has a declared charge related to rape (IPC section 376).

66% of AAP MLAs and 71% BJP MLAs have criminal background

38 (66 per cent) out of 58 MLAs from AAP and 5 (71 per cent) out of 7 MLAs from BJP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

32 (55 per cent) out of 58 MLAs from AAP and 4 (57 per cent) out of 7 MLAs from BJP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Former Delhi chief minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal has the most (13) criminal cases against him including charges of criminal intimidation and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

Kejriwal is followed closely by AAP's Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan with 12 criminal cases.

Delhi Assembly Election 2025 | The first of two state assembly polls this year sees a three-way contest between AAP, Congress, and BJP in the nation's capital. AAP decided to contest the polls alone, causing rumours of a rift in I.N.D.I.A. BJP, meanwhile, is hoping the liquor excise policy scam and pollution in Delhi will give the saffron party an edge over AAP. Kejriwal, on the other hand, has different plans with his demand for reservations for Delhi Jats. Congress will also be looking to make its presence felt and has not held back from attacking its own alliance partner. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

Subscribe and follow DH on Whatsapp, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to never miss out on anything.