West Bengal has the highest number of sitting MPs or MLAs with cases against them at 25. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh with 21 such lawmakers and Odisha with 17 such MPs and MLAs

Fifteen MPs and 135 MLAs have declared that they have cases related to crimes against women registered against them. The largest number of such lawmakers are from West Bengal, according to a report.

Fifteen MPs and 135 MLAs have declared that they have cases related to crimes against women registered against them. The largest number of such lawmakers are from West Bengal, according to a report.

The report is based on an analysis of 755 out of 776 affidavits of sitting MPs and 3,938 out of 4,033 of sitting MLAs from all 28 States and eight Union Territories in the last five years. The report, prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch, also includes affidavits submitted for bypolls held during this period following resignation, death or vacancy due to any other reason.

Among political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party has the highest number of sitting MPs or MLAs with such cases registered against them at 54, followed by the Congress with 23 and the Telugu Desam Party with 17.

Among the States, West Bengal has the highest number of sitting MPs or MLAs with these cases against them at 25. It is followed by Andhra Pradesh with 21 such lawmakers and Odisha with 17 sitting MPs/MLAs who have declared similar cases.

The report says that there are 16 sitting MPs and MLAs who have declared cases related to rape under Indian Penal Code Section 376, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and can be extended to life imprisonment. Of these, two are MPs and 14 MLAs.

The charges include repeated offences against the same victim, further underscoring the gravity of these cases, it said.