Bhubaneswar: A study done by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Odisha Election Watch (OEW) has revealed that over 35 per cent lawmakers in Odisha Legislative Assembly have criminal cases registered against them. As per the ADR report, out of the 147 MLAs, 52 sitting legislators of the state have declared criminal cases against them out of which 32 are from BJD, nine Congress and eight from BJP.
Moreover, two Lok Sabha members of the BJD and one MP each of the BJP and the Congress have criminal cases pending against them. Besides, the report revealed that out of the eight Rajya Sabha MPs of the BJD one has criminal case against him. Similarly, one Rajya Sabha MP of the Congress has similar charges pending against him. Notably, taking cognisance of the criminal cases pending against MPs and MLAs, the Supreme Court has recently directed the Centre to come up with a scheme to set up special fast-track courts to deal with the cases.
