Of the 1,314 candidates, 27% face serious criminal charges such as murder, attempt to murder, rape, and offences against women. The report, based on affidavits of 1,303 candidates, found that 423 (32%) have declared criminal cases, while 354 (27%) are accused in serious offences. This includes 33 facing murder charges, 86 booked for attempted murder, and 42 accused of crimes against women, with two candidates facing rape charges.
Party-wise, the data paints a grim picture of Bihar’s politics. All CPM candidates (100%) face serious cases, followed by CPI (80%), CPI (ML) (64%), RJD (60%), and BJP (56%). The Congress fares little better, with 52% of its candidates booked under grave sections.
Party-wise Breakdown
Overall, 65% of BJP and Congress candidates have declared criminal records, highlighting the entrenched criminalisation of politics in Bihar.
40% Candidates Are Crorepatis
Wealth and power remain deeply intertwined in Bihar’s elections. 519 candidates (40%) are crorepatis, with average assets worth ₹3.26 crore. Educationally, 40% have studied only up to Class 12, 50% are graduates or postgraduates, and just 9% are women.
Key Leaders and Ministers
Samrat Chaudhary – 6 Times Richer Than Nitish Kumar
Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary (Tarapur) declared assets worth ₹11.5 crore, nearly six times higher than CM Nitish Kumar. He owns ₹9.29 crore in immovable assets and holds a Doctor of Literature degree. His wife, Mamta, has assets worth ₹1.35 crore, and together they own 400g of gold, 500g of silver, a Bolero car, and two licensed weapons.
Vijay Kumar Sinha – Wife Richer Than the Deputy CM
Deputy CM Vijay Sinha (Lakhisarai) declared ₹4.2 crore in total assets, while his wife Sushila Devi owns ₹7.4 crore, including 450g of gold. The family owns a Mahindra XUV700 and a Bolero and has ₹22.65 lakh in liabilities.
Prem Kumar – 8-Time MLA, ₹3.16 Crore Assets
BJP veteran Prem Kumar (Gaya City) has ₹3.16 crore in assets and owns over 1 kg of gold and 10.5 kg of silver, along with a Tata Safari and three licensed firearms.
Renu Devi – ₹5.5 Crore in Assets and Firearms
Minister Renu Devi (Bettiah) declared ₹5.5 crore in assets, including properties in Patna, Bettiah, and Kolkata, 510g of gold, two cars, and licensed firearms.
Mangal Pandey – 3 Cases, ₹2.86 Crore Assets
BJP’s Mangal Pandey (Siwan Sadar) faces three criminal cases and holds ₹2.86 crore in assets, including 1 kg of gold, 7 kg of silver, and two firearms.
Sunil Kumar – Wealth Rises by ₹6 Crore in 5 Years
Minister Dr. Sunil Kumar (Biharsharif) saw his assets surge from ₹11.5 crore to ₹17.5 crore in five years. He faces six criminal cases and reported a sharp income increase from ₹28.59 lakh in 2023–24 to ₹1.67 crore in 2024–25.
Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu – Richest Minister
BJP’s Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu (Chhatapur) tops the list with ₹11.97 crore in assets, while his wife, former MLC Nutan Singh, holds ₹7.42 crore. The couple owns luxury cars, gold, and silver worth lakhs.
Other Notable Candidates
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Jivesh Mishra (Jale) – ₹2 crore, 3 criminal cases
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Sanjay Sarawagi (Darbhanga) – ₹4 crore, gold worth ₹70 lakh
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Nitin Naveen (Bankipur) – ₹1.59 crore, 5 criminal cases
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Nitish Mishra (Jhanjharpur) – ₹4.92 crore, income declined after becoming minister
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Krishna Kumar Mantu (Amanour) – ₹7 crore, 5 criminal cases, heavy debt
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Raju Singh (Sahebganj) – ₹11 crore, 10 criminal cases, petrol pump owner
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Bijendra Yadav (Supaul) – ₹4 crore, clean record
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Leshi Singh (Dhamdaha) – ₹2.22 crore, owns 2 trucks and 3 cars
Crime, Cash, and Power
The ADR report once again underlines Bihar’s persistent nexus between crime, wealth, and politics. Nearly one-third of the candidates in the first phase face serious criminal charges, and four in ten are crorepatis.
As voters head to the polls, they face a stark dilemma — whether to choose development and integrity or continue the cycle of money and muscle power that has long defined Bihar’s politics
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