31% of Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases: ADR

📌 Summary:

• Around 31% of Rajya Sabha MPs have declared criminal cases against themselves, of whom 16% have declared serious criminal cases, per an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch analysis
• The analysis covered 226 of the 233 Rajya Sabha MPs; four West Bengal seats are vacant and three MPs' affidavits were unavailable
• The data renews concern over the criminalisation of politics and the limits of self-declaration through election affidavits
• Reform demands include faster trials in special courts and stricter disqualification norms

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Polity — electoral reforms, criminalisation of politics, role of the ECI and judiciary; data-driven civil-society watchdogs (ADR)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• ADR is an NGO that analyses candidate/MP affidavits filed under the Representation of the People Act
• Rajya Sabha has a sanctioned strength of 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated)
• Candidates must disclose criminal antecedents in affidavits following the 2002 Supreme Court (Union of India v. ADR) ruling

🔑 Key Term: Criminalisation of politics — entry and influence of persons with criminal records in legislatures, undermining democratic integrity