295 BMC poll candidates have criminal records: Police report

A confidential report prepared by the Mumbai police shows that 295 candidates contesting in the February 16 civic polls have criminal records. That is more than 13% of the 2,233 candidates contesting for the 227 seats across the city.

A confidential report prepared by the Mumbai police shows that 295 candidates contesting in the February 16 civic polls have criminal records. That is more than 13% of the 2,233 candidates contesting for the 227 seats across the city.

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It's highly likely that every electoral ward has at least one candidate with a criminal background.

These wannabe netas have police records not because they have been involved in political agitations but for offences ranging from assault and intimidation to extortion and murder. "The 295 candidates found with criminal backgrounds also include Independents," a police official said, requesting anonymity.

All the 93 police stations across the city had been instructed to identify and ferret out the list of candidates in their respective jurisdictions with criminal history. A comprehensive list was then put together at the police headquarters.

Police sources said this list will help them maintain law and order better during the elections as the local police will know whom they need to keep an eye on.