7 Karnataka MLAs face cases linked to crimes against women, one rape-related case: ADR

For many women, the fear of harassment, assault and violence is part of everyday life. But a new report has raised an uncomfortable question: What happens when people accused of crimes against women continue to sit in elected legislatures? Shockingly, Karnataka has seven sitting MLAs who have declared criminal cases related to crimes against women, according to an analysis by the (ADR). The state ranks sixth among all states and Union territories in the number of sitting MPs and MLAs facing such declared cases.

Karnataka’s data is lower than West Bengal, which tops the national list with 69 representatives. Andhra Pradesh follows with 22, Odisha with 17, Maharashtra with 11 and Bihar with 10. However, Karnataka’s seven are higher than Jharkhand’s six and the five each recorded by Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana. All seven representatives from Karnataka are sitting MLAs. The state has no sitting Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha MP with a declared case related to crimes against women.

Hema Nagaraj, a college student, said, “The presence of sitting legislators who have declared cases related to crimes against women is deeply disturbing. These figures do not establish guilt, but they raise serious questions about the political parties that give such candidates tickets and the system that allows them to remain in public life without adequate scrutiny. Women deserve representatives who inspire trust, not fear. Political parties must make the safety, dignity and justice of women a non-negotiable part of candidate selection.”

At the national level, ADR found that 187 sitting MPs and MLAs have declared such cases. This includes 168 MLAs, 15 Lok Sabha MPs and four Rajya Sabha MPs. The report also throws up an even more disturbing statistic. As many as 14 sitting MPs and MLAs across the country have declared cases related to rape. Karnataka is among the 11 states in this list, with one sitting MLA declaring a rape-related case. West Bengal has the highest number, with three representatives, followed by Madhya Pradesh with two.

The ADR and National Election Watch said the practice of major political parties giving tickets to candidates facing serious cases, including rape and other crimes against women, undermines women’s safety and dignity.

Such cases, where courts have taken cognisance or framed charges, expose a serious failure in the political and criminal justice systems, allowing influential lawmakers to allegedly misuse their position, delay investigations and trials, and intimidate victims and their families.

The organisations recommended barring candidates with criminal backgrounds from contesting elections, permanently disqualifying those convicted of heinous crimes such as rape, and excluding lawmakers facing serious cases against women from ministerial positions. ADR also called for strict penalties against parties that fail to disclose candidates’ criminal records and the reasons for selecting them, as mandated by the Supreme Court, along with time-bound trials, court-monitored investigations and greater voter scrutiny before electing candidates facing such allegations.

Activists said that the findings renew the debate over criminalisation in politics, candidate scrutiny and the need for greater accountability from political parties before giving tickets to candidates facing serious allegations.