Over 14% candidates in U'khand have criminal background: Study

DEHRA DUN: Nearly 11 out of the total 76 Lok Sabha candidates in Uttarakhand, which will go to poll on May 7, have criminal antecedents, a study has claimed.

Of these 11, only three are charged with heinous crimes like culpable homicide, bribery and assault on public officials, the study by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), said.

Almost all major parties barring BJP have fielded candidates with criminal background, the report, based on the affidavits filed by the candidates, revealed.

While 50 per cent of the candidates fielded by the Samajwadi Party have criminal antecedents, 40 per cent of Bahujan Samaj Party, 20 per cent of Congress and only candidate of CPM has criminal record, founder of ADR, Trilochan Shastry, told reporters here.

Asif Khan, who is contesting from Haridwar Lok Sabha seat on Apana Dal ticket, is charged under Section 304 of the IPC for culpable homicide.

Similarly, BSP candidate from Haridwar, Mohd Shahzad, who is also an MLA, is an accuse in a case of bribery under IPC section 171 (B).

Bindu Gupta, an independent candidate contesting from Nainital Lok Sabha seat, is charged under IPC section 124 related with assaulting President, Governor etc with intent to compel or restraint exercise of any lawful power.

On the financial worth of the candidates, the analysis showed there were 11 crorepatis -- three from the Congress, two from the BSP and one each from the BJP and the SP -- contesting elections from the state.