Karnataka has 32 MLAs who have been framed by court under RP Act

There are 32 MLAs in Karnataka against whom charges have been framed by the court for offences falling under the Representation of People Act, a report said.

A report prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Karnataka Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 219 MLAs.

The number of MLAs with criminal cases which fall under Section 8(1) of the RP Act who will be disqualified, if convicted. The number of MLAs with criminal cases which fall under Section 8(2) of the RP Act and who will be disqualified, if they are convicted with a punishment of not less than 6 months. The number of MLAs with criminal cases which fall under Section 8(3) of the RP Act who will be disqualified, if they are convicted with a punishment of not less than 2 years, the report said.

Highlights:

• There are a total of 32 MLAs who have declared criminal cases where the charges have been framed under Section 8(1) (2) & (3) of the R.P Act,1951.
• Among parties, BJP has the highest number of MLAs i.e. 22, followed by INC with 5, JD(S) with 4 and 1 Independent MLA who has declared criminal cases where the charges have been framed under Section 8(1) (2) & (3) of the R.P Act, 1951.
• As per details of criminal cases declared in the self sworn affidavits submitted by the MLAs while contesting Karnataka assembly elections in 2018 and bye-elections held thereafter, pendency in respect of criminal cases where charges have been framed under Sec 8 (1), (2), (3) is shown below. However, it may be pointed out that the status of these cases may have undergone a change over the years for some MLAs. The exact current status will be known only in respect of MLAs who decide to re-contest in the Karnataka Assembly elections 2023, after they file their nomination papers, the ADR report said.
• The average number of years that criminal cases against 32 MLAs have been pending is 5 years.
• 6 MLAs have a total of 9 criminal cases pending against them for ten years or more.
• Criminal cases pending for the period:
• 16 years: Punishment of criminal conspiracy: G Somasekhara Reddy of BJP from Bellary City constituency.
• 14 years: Punishment for Defamation, Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory, Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter: B Sreeramulu of BJP from Molakalmuru constituency.
• Punishment for criminal breach of trust, Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property: Ranganath H D of INC from Kunigal constituency.
• 11 years: Punishment for criminal intimidation, Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace, Punishment for Rioting, Rioting, armed with deadly weapon, Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation, Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees: Yashvanthrayagouda Patil of INC from Indi constituency.
• 10 years: Mischief by destroying or moving, etc., a land- mark fixed by public authority Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred or (in case of agricultural produce) ten rupees, Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse, Punishment for Rioting, Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees: K.Y. Nanjegowda of INC from Malur constituency.
• Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse, Rioting, Punishment for Rioting, Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees: D.C.Thammanna of JD(S) from Maddur constituency.