12% of Lok Sabha poll candidates in Haryana facing criminal cases

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Chandigarh, May 20

In the 2024 Lok Sabha poll in Haryana, the prevalence of candidates embroiled in criminal cases has surged, with accusations ranging from molestation and extortion to attempted murder and corruption. About 12 per cent of the candidates are facing criminal charges, which is higher compared to the previous election cycle.

Of the 223 candidates in the fray, 27 have disclosed criminal charges against themselves, up from 24 of the 223 (11 per cent) in 2019. Among the major political parties, the BJP, Congress and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) have two candidates each with pending criminal cases, while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have one such candidate each. Additionally, there are 13 Independent candidates facing criminal cases.

One notable case involves Congress candidate Raj Babbar from Gurugram, who stands convicted in a case related to assault on a public servant, participation in an unlawful assembly and causing hurt. Sentenced to two-year imprisonment in 2022 by a Lucknow court, his conviction has been stayed by the Allahabad High Court pending appeal. Babbar also faces charges of attempted murder, rioting, voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty and another case of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Naveen Jindal, BJP’s candidate from Kurukshetra, has nine cases pending, including allegations tied to coal block allocation. He has three CBI cases related to cheating and corruption and three are Enforcement Directorate (ED) complaints under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).  

JJP’s candidate Bahadur Singh, contesting from Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, is embroiled in a case involving extortion, cheating and criminal intimidation in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Congress’ Karnal candidate Divyanshu Budhiraja, also the president of Haryana Youth Congress, faces five cases across Panchkula, Gurugram and Kurukshetra, including charges of rioting and obstructing public servants, wrongful restraint and disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant. He was booked under the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act in 2018. As he didn’t appear in the Panchkula court for proceedings, he was also declared a proclaimed offender in the case. After getting the ticket, he secured the bail on May 3.

AAP’s Dr Sushil Gupta, contesting from Kurukshetra, is entangled in a defamation case in Delhi, while INLD’s Abhay Chautala is dealing with proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Sirsa’s BJP candidate Ashok Tanwar has a Motor Vehicle Act case against him in Devaria (UP). An Independent candidate Ajit Singh from Hisar constituency has three convictions-two for gambling and another from the Army for overstaying leave. He was sentenced to 2-month civil imprisonment and was dismissed from Army service for overstaying leave in 1991.

Two candidates have cases related to crime against women. Peoples Party of India (Democratic)’s Pradeep Sihmar from Hisar constituency is facing a case related to molestation and stalking, while Independent candidate Lalit Kumar is facing a charge related to word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. JJP’s Rahul Yadav Fazilpuria from Gurugram is facing a charge related to an obscene act.