Among Jharkhand's top three leaders--former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, JMM chief Sibu Soren and JPCC president Thomas Hansda--Marandi is the only one to have no case against him.
Soren, who is seeking re-election from Dumka, has cases against him in the CJM court at Bokaro, SDJM court at Jamtara and CBI special court in Delhi, according to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission.
In his affidavit, Hansda said false cases had been registered against him as he was the secretary of BSK College, Barwark in Jharkhand.
The trio, keen to be seen as the tribal political messiah, have declared some investments and having some immovable assets.
Soren's declaration claimed movable and immovable assets worth Rs 80,000, while his wife had another 45,000 deposit in banks. He also has some outstanding money owing to government departments. While he has no shares, he has paternal property of 42 acres.
Hansda, seeking re-election from Rajmahal, has deposits worth over a lakh, 30 tolas of gold and one kg silver, 100 bigha agricultural land and three buildings which are joint property.
On the other hand Marandi has deposits worth over Rs 2 lakh, besides three vehicles--one Bollero, Safari and an Ambassador car and a house.
He has also declared 40 gm of gold and Rs 15,000 cash.
Marandi, contesting from Koderma, has no case registered against him.
Among the other contestants with criminal back grounds as per their affidavits are Yogendra Sharma, Sunil Kumar Mahto (both from Jamshedpur), Ramlal Oraon alias Veer Bhagat (Chatra), Amit Bhagat (Lohardaga) and Laxman Gilua (Singhbhum).
Ramlal Oraon alias Veer Bhagat, who was a former self-styled MCC zonal commander, is contesting from jail and has 17 murder cases registered against him, beisdes extortion and kidnapping cases.
Gilua, the BJP's sitting MP, has four criminal cases while Amit Bhagat is named accused in three cases.
JMM's Hemlal Murmu, contesting from Raj Mahal, has a case regarding obstructing rail services.