The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that two candidates contesting the Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu have murder charges against them and one of them has charges of assault or use of criminal force against a woman, as reported by The New Minute. The ADR was analysing the affidavits filed by the candidates.
The ADR analysed 802 out of 845 candidates using different parameters such as their assets and their criminal record in the affidavit.
Two of the candidates out of the 802 analysed have serious criminal charges against them. Rape and murder are categorised under heinous crimes.
N Mohan and A Kalyanasundaram, both independent candidates, contesting from Madurai and Virudhunagar, respectively, were charged with murder and attempted murder among others.
Other two have charges of sexual harassment against them.
As reported by The News Minute, Congress leader EVKS Elangovan has also been charged under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and Section 4 (penalty for harassment of woman) of the IPC. He is contesting from Theni.
ADR revealed that 184 candidates have assets more than Rs 1 crore, out of which 23 are from DMK, 22 from AIADMK, 19 from Makkal Needhi Maiam and 12 from Naam Tamilar Katchi. Seven Congress candidates have assets more than Rs 1 crore and the BJP has five such candidates.
The richest candidate contesting Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu is Kanyakumari's Congress candidate H Vasanthakumar with assets worth Rs 417 crore, followed by E Subaya, contesting from Chennai South, who has assets worth Rs 237 crore.
AC Shanmugam is the richest at an AIADMK ticket from Vellore with assets worth Rs 125 crore.
There are three candidates who have declared zero assets. N Panneerselvam, independent candidate from Vellore, G Vedarethinam and S Senthilkumar.