A citizens’ voluntary organisation that fearlessly exercises its fundamental right of free speech and expression in the public interest is the Delhi-based Association for Democratic Reforms. ADR researches the affidavits all candidates contesting elections to Parliament at the Centre and legislative assemblies are obliged — under Supreme Court directives of 2002-03 — to file disclosing their criminal, financial and educational background information to the Election Commission.
ADR’s latest report which has a sub-report titled ‘Analysis of Sitting MLAs from 28 State Assemblies and 3 Union Territories of India 2025’ discloses mind-boggling information. Karnataka (pop.70 million) from where this publication is written, has the largest number of billionaire MLAs (members of legislative assembly) — 31 out of a total 224 — of all states of the Indian Union followed by Andhra Pradesh (27) and Maharashtra (17). ADR’s 2025 report also provides (self-declared) details of criminal cases pending against elected MPs (members of Parliament) and MLAs.
According to the report, in Karnataka where the average assets of elected MLAs are valued at a gob-smacking Rs.63 crore, 122 (55 percent of total) MLAs have criminal cases and 72 (32 percent) have “serious criminal cases” pending against them. In Andhra Pradesh which gets top billing, 79 percent of MLAs have criminal and 56 percent serious criminal cases pending against them. However the average assets valued at Rs.63 crore of Karnataka’s blemished MLAs notwithstanding, on March 21 the state assembly unanimously passed a resolution doubling MLA salaries and allowances. Meanwhile the state’s Congress government has huge pending dues owing to electricity distribution companies and can’t fund road repairs. A lot is rotten in the Silicon Valley state of India.
