One in every five candidates for the first-phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections, making 294 out of 1,475 poll aspirants, have self-declared serious criminal cases in their affidavits, a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and West Bengal Election watch revealed. As many as 23% candidates (345) in the poll fray have self-sworn to be charged under criminal cases.

A “serious criminal case” is defined as one involving offences with a maximum punishment of five years or more, non-bailable offences, electoral offences, or charges related to assault, murder, kidnapping, rape, and crimes against women and children.