Assam elections: 30 out 539 candidates have pending criminal cases

guwahati, March 31: In Assam only 30 out of the 539 candidates contesting the assembly elections have declared pending criminal cases against them.

This report by the Association for Democratic Reforms states that the number of candidates with a criminal background in Assam is 6 per cent.

The report further states that out of the 30 candidates, 25 have declared that they have serious criminal cases pending against their name. The cases include murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.

The break-up:

Candidates with cases related to murder- 2 candidates have declared cases related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302). Kushal Dowari of the BJP from Thowra constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder. Janardan Hazarika, of Independent from Amguri constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder.

Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder- 1 candidate namely Kushal Dowari of BJP from Thowra constituency has declared 1 charge related to attempt to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-307).

Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women- 1 candidate namely Ibungobi Singha an Independent from Sonai constituency has declared 1 charge related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (Indian Penal Code Section-354).

Candidates with cases related to Kidnapping-1 candidate namely Abdul Ahad Choudhury an Independent from Karimganj North constituency has declared 1 charge related to Kidnapping for ransom, etc. (Indian Penal Code Section-364A).

Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases- 8 (12%) out of 65 candidates from Indian National Congress (INC), 3 (6%) out of 54 candidates from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), 3 (11%) out of 27 candidates from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), 1 (10%) out of 10 candidates fielded by Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M), 1 (17%) out of 6 candidates from Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) (CPI(ML)(L)), and 14 (5%) out of 280 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases-6 (9%) out of 65 candidates from INC, 3 (6%) out of 54 candidates from BJP, 2 (7%) out of 27 candidates from AIUDF, 1 (17%) out of 6 candidates fielded by (CPI(ML)(L), and 13 (5%) out of 280 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Red Alert Constituencies- 3 constituencies namely Karimganj North, Sonai and Hailakandi in First Phase of Assam assembly elections have 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases. *Red Alert Constituencies are those which have 3 or more candidates with criminal cases contesting elections.

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