Delhi polls: Kejriwal, Sisodia among candidates with criminal cases
What's the story
The upcoming Delhi Assembly elections have several candidates who have served time in jail for different charges.
These include Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and his ally Manish Sisodia.
The two were arrested in a money laundering case linked to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy.
It is alleged that the policy led to a loss of ₹2,026 crore to the exchequer.
Arrest details
Kejriwal and Sisodia's arrest in money laundering case
Kejriwal, who was arrested ahead of the Lok Sabha polls last year, has maintained throughout his Assembly poll campaign that his arrest was politically motivated.
He says even his "fiercest enemy" believes he is not corrupt.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, has slammed him for treating his jail time as a "badge of honor."
AAP arrests
Other AAP leaders with criminal records
Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister, spent 17 months in jail before getting bail last August.
Another AAP leader, Sanjay Singh was released on bail in April after being arrested in the same case.
Satyendar Jain, also from AAP, spent over 18 months in jail in a money laundering case but was granted bail last October.
AIMIM candidates
Candidates from AIMIM with criminal records
Other candidates with criminal records are Tahir Hussain and Shifa-ur Rehman of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM), both accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots.
Hussain had switched from AAP to AIMIM and both candidates have been given parole to campaign.
The elections will be held on February 5, with votes being counted on February 8.
Crime statistics
Decline in candidates with criminal cases: Report
An analysis by poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) shows that 19% of candidates have declared criminal cases, a small drop from 20% in 2020.
Serious criminal charges are faced by 12% of candidates, including for offenses punishable by five or more years in prison, down from 15% in the last election, ADR added.