Four Karnataka ministers fighting serious criminal cases, says ADR study

All of Karnataka's newly appointed ministers have declared criminal charges against themselves, according to a report by non-profit Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Karnataka Election Watch (KEW).

The report analyses nine of the ten ministers sworn in on Saturday. Four ministers are battling serious criminal charges.

The ministers are also all crorepatis, with average assets worth Rs 229.27 crore. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank has declared the lowest assets in the list, with Rs 16.83 crore. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has retained his spot as the wealthiest MLA with assets worth Rs 1413.8 crore.


Shivakumar also has the highest liabilities worth Rs 265.06 crore. All nine ministers have declared liabilities against themselves. Former deputy CM Dr. G Parameshwara has declared the lowest liabilities at Rs 9 crore.

Parameshwar, who was a contender for the CM post, is also the most educated minister in the list, with a doctorate in agricultural research.

Shivakumar, in his affidavit, has declared that he has a masters in political science for Mysore Open University. The new CM, Siddaramaiah is a lawyer from Sharada Vilas Law College in Mysuru.

Six ministers have educational qualifications of graduation level and above. Three ministers have declared qualifications between 8th pass and 12th pass.

Two of the new ministers - CM Siddaramaiah and KH Muniyappa are 75 years old, making them the oldest ministers in the current Cabinet. The youngest new minister, Priyank Kharge, is more than 30 years younger to them at 44 years old.