NEW DELHI: In India, around 35 per cent chief ministers have criminal casesagainst them and 81 per cent of the total are crorepatis, according to anADR report released today.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch(NEW) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of current chief ministers(CMs) in state assemblies and Union territories across the nation.

These were the latest affidavits filed by them prior to contesting theelections.

“Out of the all 31 chief ministers analysed from state assemblies and Unionterritories, 11 (35 per cent) chief ministers have declared criminal casesagainst themselves,” the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reportnoted.

Further, 26 per cent CMs have declared serious criminal cases, includingrelated to murder, attempt to murder, cheating and dishonestly inducingdelivery of property, criminal intimidation, among others.

Interestingly, as many as 25 CMs, or 81 per cent, are crorepatis, with twoof them having assets to the tune of over Rs 100 crore. The average assetsof CMs are worth Rs 16.18 crore.

According to the report, Andhra Pradeshlink>’s Chandra BabuNaidu has emerged as the wealthiest chief minister with declared assetsworth over Rs 177 crore, followed by Arunanchal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu (overRs 129 crore) and Amarinder Singhlink> of Punjab (overRs 48 crore).

The CM with the lowest declared asset is Tripura’s Manik Sarkarlink> with assets worthRs 27 lakh, followed by West Bengallink>’s Mamata Banerjeelink> (over Rs 30lakh) and Jammu and Kashmir’s Mehbooba Muftilink> (Rs 56 lakh).

In terms of educational qualification, 10 per cent of 31 chief ministersare 12th pass, 39 per cent graduate, 32 per cent graduate professional, 16per cent post graduate and 3 per cent doctorate. – PTI