Nearly 1 in 3 women MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges against them. In the Rajya Sabha, 10 out of 37 women MPs (27%) have criminal cases, while among 400 women MLAs across state and UT assemblies, 109 (27%) have similar records.
1 / 7Women Lawmakers with Criminal Cases | According to an Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysis of 512 affidavits filed by current women MPs and MLAs, 143 or 28% have declared criminal cases against themselves. This includes elected representatives from both Parliament and state assemblies/Union Territories. (Image: Canva)
2 / 778 Women Lawmakers Face Serious Criminal Charges | The ADR report reveals that 15% of all women MPs and MLAs currently in office are facing serious criminal charges such as attempt to murder and even murder.
3 / 7Lok Sabha Women Lawmakers with Criminal Cases | Nearly 1 in 3 women MPs in the Lok Sabha have criminal charges against them. Of the 75 current women MPs in the Lok Sabha, 24 (32%) have declared criminal cases in their election affidavits, with 14 (19%) facing serious charges.
4 / 7Rajya Sabha and State Assembly Women Lawmakers with Criminal Cases | In the Rajya Sabha, 10 out of 37 women MPs (27%) have criminal cases, while among 400 women MLAs across state and UT assemblies, 109 (27%) have similar records. Additionally, 7 women MPs (19%) and 57 women MLAs (14%) are facing serious criminal charges.
5 / 7States with Highest Women Legislators with Criminal Records | Goa and Telangana lead with 67% of their women MPs/MLAs declaring criminal cases. Andhra Pradesh follows closely with 58%, while Kerala and Punjab each show 50%. Bihar reports 43%. (Image: Canva)
6 / 7States with Highest Women Legislators with Serious Criminal Charges | The proportion of women lawmakers facing serious criminal allegations is highest in Telangana (42%). Other states with high proportions include Andhra Pradesh (38%), Goa (33%), Bihar (26%), Meghalaya (25%), and Punjab and Kerala at 21% each. (Image: Canva)
7 / 7Political Parties with Highest Women Legislators with Criminal Records | Of the BJP’s 217 women lawmakers, 23% have criminal cases and 11% face serious charges. The Congress fares worse, with 34% of its 83 women legislators facing criminal cases and 20% serious ones. Regional parties show even higher proportions — 65% of TDP’s 20 and 69% of AAP’s 13 women legislators have declared criminal cases, with 45% and 31% respectively facing serious charges.
