Delhi Election 2025: 66% MLAs in outgoing assembly face criminal cases, richest member boasts ₹292 cr net worth
Delhi Election 2025: As Delhi approaches its 2025 elections, a staggering 66% of sitting MLAs face criminal charges, with one AAP MLA boasting an astonishing ₹292 crore net worth. Discover the implications of wealth and criminality in this pivotal election.
Delhi Election 2025: Sixty-six per cent of lawmakers in the Delhi assembly have criminal cases against them, an analysis by election watchdog, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), has revealed. Fifty-five per cent MLAs have declared serious criminal cases against them, the analysis revealed.
Out of 65 sitting MLAs analysed, 43 (66 per cent) sitting MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves. Five of the 70 seats in the Delhi assembly are vacant at present.
Also, 36 (55 per cent) sitting MLAs have declared serious criminal cases, the report released by ADR said on Thursday, weeks ahead of the Delhi Assembly Election 2025.
As many as 13 sitting MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women. This includes a charge related to rape (IPC Section-376) against one MLA. One sitting MLA has declared a case related to an attempt to murder.
Party-wise criminal cases
As many as 38 (66 per cent) out of 58 MLAs of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and 5 (71 per cent) out of 7 MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Also, 32 (55 per cent ) out of 58 AAP MLAs and 4 (57 per cent) out of 7 MLAs from the BJP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the report said.
The Delhi Election 2025 is scheduled for February 5. The AAP, the BJP and the Congress are involved in a triangular contest in the polling on February 5.
Financial background
Out of 65 sitting MLAs analysed, only one is a billionaire. The total assets of 65 sitting MLAs are ₹ 829.21 crore. The total assets of 58 AAP MLAs analysed are ₹777.02 crore and 7 BJP sitting MLAs have total assets of ₹52.18 crore.
The average of assets per sitting MLA is ₹12.75 crore.
The average assets per MLA of 58 AAP sitting MLAs analysed is ₹13.39 crore and 7 BJP sitting MLAs have average assets of ₹7.45 crore.
The richest and poorest MLA
Dharampal Lakra, the AAP MLA from Mundka, is the richest MLA with ₹292 crore net worth. Rakhi Birla, AAP MLA from Manolpuri, is the poorest with a total net worth of ₹76,400.
- A significant number of Delhi’s lawmakers have criminal backgrounds, raising questions about accountability.
- The wealth disparity among MLAs highlights issues of representation and governance.
- This data could influence voter sentiment and the outcome of the 2025 elections.
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