New Delhi- The political landscape took a dramatic turn on Monday as fresh revelations brought new controversies to the forefront, sparking heated debates across party lines. With growing public concern and sharp reactions from opposition leaders, the latest development is expected to shape both governance and electoral narratives in the days to come, based on ADR & National Election Watch analysis of self-sworn affidavits filed before the Election Commission of India
Andhra Pradesh
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) does not have any serious criminal charges recorded in his affidavit. While he has faced political challenges and corruption allegations in the past, he currently does not fall under the list of CMs with declared criminal cases.
Arunachal Pradesh
Chief Minister Pema Khandu (BJP) has two declared criminal cases. These mostly relate to alleged misuse of office and protest-related violations. Although not as numerous as some of his counterparts, the pending cases highlight that even leaders in relatively smaller states are not free from legal battles.
Assam
Himanta Biswa Sarma (BJP), a powerful BJP face in the Northeast, has two cases pending. These include allegations of criminal conspiracy and defamation. His rise from a Congress leader to the BJP’s most influential northeastern politician has not been without controversy, and the pending cases remain part of his record.
Bihar
Veteran leader Nitish Kumar (JD-U), who has been in and out of alliances with both the BJP and the Congress, has four criminal cases declared. These include charges related to unlawful assembly, disobedience of orders, and defamation. Though none have led to convictions, they reflect his long history of street politics and confrontations.
Chhattisgarh
Former and current CM Bhupesh Baghel (INC) has seven criminal cases against him, including defamation and violations of election law. Baghel, who has had a stormy political career, has often been accused of misusing his office, but like many other leaders, he insists that the cases are politically motivated.
Delhi (Union Territory)
Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal (AAP) has declared 16 criminal cases, some of them serious. The cases range from promoting enmity between groups (IPC 153A), defamation (499/500), unlawful assembly, and violation of the Representation of the People Act. As a protest-based leader, Kejriwal has often faced FIRs during agitations, but his detractors also accuse him of crossing legal limits.
Jharkhand
Hemant Soren (JMM), currently in office, faces seven criminal cases, some connected to alleged corruption, land scams, and misuse of office. His tussles with central agencies have kept him in legal limelight, with his party insisting these cases are politically motivated to weaken regional leadership.
Maharashtra
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena – Shinde faction) has 18 declared cases, many of them linked to unlawful assembly, rioting, and disobedience of public authority. Coming from Shiv Sena’s street politics background, Shinde’s career has been dotted with police cases related to mass mobilisations, protests, and clashes.
Meghalaya
Conrad Sangma (NPP), the young CM of Meghalaya, faces two pending cases, including charges of unlawful assembly and obstructing public officials in duty. His cases are relatively fewer compared to other leaders, but still mark him as one among the 40% of CMs with criminal records.
Puducherry (Union Territory)
N. Rangasamy (All India N.R. Congress) has two cases pending, largely linked to defamation and violation of public order. His legal troubles have not dented his political popularity in the small Union Territory, but they remain part of his declared background.
Sikkim
Prem Singh Tamang (SKM) has two declared cases, one of which relates to corruption and misuse of office during his earlier ministerial tenure. Despite legal battles, he has consolidated his position as the most powerful figure in Sikkim’s politics.
Tamil Nadu
M.K. Stalin (DMK), the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, has 47 pending cases, out of which 11 are serious. These include unlawful assembly, promoting enmity (153A), defamation, kidnapping (363), and violations of election laws. Many of these cases arose from political protests, but the sheer number highlights the intense street-level mobilisation typical of Tamil Nadu politics.
Telangana
The most striking case is that of Anumula Revanth Reddy (INC), the Chief Minister of Telangana, who has 89 criminal cases — the highest among all CMs in India. Out of these, 72 are serious IPC cases, including forgery (467, 468), criminal intimidation (506), breach of trust (406), assault on women’s modesty (354), and multiple election-related offences. His record reflects the deeply combative politics of Telangana and makes him the CM with the most extensive legal battles in the country.
Tripura
Manik Saha (BJP), Chief Minister of Tripura, has two declared cases. These relate mostly to election law violations and protests. Compared to others, his record is minor, but still places him among those with declared legal troubles.
Uttar Pradesh
Yogi Adityanath (BJP), the high-profile CM of India’s largest state, has 15 criminal cases declared in his affidavit. Among these are serious charges of attempt to murder (307), promoting enmity (153A), rioting (147, 148), and criminal intimidation. His political career, shaped by Hindutva mobilisation and street-level activism, has consistently attracted FIRs, making him one of the most controversial state leaders.
West Bengal
Mamata Banerjee (AITC), the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has seven criminal cases pending, including unlawful assembly, defamation, and disobedience of lawful orders. Known for her grassroots protests, Mamata has spent decades in politics where clashes with police and rivals often led to court cases.
The analysis of affidavits reveals that 12 of India’s 30 Chief Ministers (40%) are facing criminal cases, with 10 of them facing serious charges ranging from corruption to violent crimes. Leaders like Revanth Reddy in Telangana, Stalin in Tamil Nadu, Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh, and Eknath Shinde in Maharashtra exemplify how mass politics, street-level agitation, and communal or caste mobilisation often translate into legal cases.
While many of these cases are politically motivated or remain pending for years, their sheer number highlights a systemic issue in India’s democracy. Civil society voices continue to call for reforms that would prevent individuals facing serious charges from occupying top executive offices until their names are cleared. Until then, India will continue to grapple with the contradiction of celebrating democracy while being governed by leaders under the shadow of criminal allegations.