176 Candidates Skip Mandatory Criminal Record Disclosure in Bihar Elections 2025, ADR Report Reveals Major Lapse in Transparency

Patna | December 8, 2025 — A recent report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has exposed a serious lapse in transparency during the nomination process for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. According to the analysis, 176 out of 612 candidates from various political parties failed to submit the mandatory details of their criminal background in Form C-7, raising significant concerns over accountability in the electoral process.

The report highlights that while 436 candidates complied with the disclosure requirement, a large segment — nearly 29% of all analyzed candidates — did not furnish information regarding ongoing criminal cases, despite clear directives from the Supreme Court of India.

Major Parties Among Defaulters

Candidates from several prominent political parties feature in the list of those who did not submit criminal background details. According to ADR, the non-compliant candidates include:

• RJD: 8 candidates
• JDU: 12 candidates
• LJP (Ram Vilas): 12 candidates
• Jan Shakti Janata Dal (Tej Pratap Yadav’s party): 28 candidates
• Aam Aadmi Party: 2 candidates
• Jan Suraj: 1 candidate

The significant number of non-disclosures reflects a worrying trend, suggesting that political parties are not adhering to judicial directives meant to ensure transparency.

Parties Defend Candidates With Criminal Backgrounds

The report also throws light on justifications provided by parties for selecting candidates facing criminal charges. Parties claim that such candidates often enjoy strong grassroots support and are considered “electorally viable.” They argue that these individuals have deep connections with local communities and are trusted for their “dedicated service.”

For instance:

• A JDU candidate from Mokama, facing charges under 54 sections of the IPC and BNSS, has been defended by the party on grounds of popularity and being the “best available choice” in the constituency.
• An RJD candidate from Motihari, who is battling 52 criminal cases, has been projected as “highly popular” and a strong contender due to his influence in the region.

Violation of Supreme Court’s 2020 Order

The widespread failure to disclose criminal backgrounds is a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s landmark order dated February 13, 2020, which mandates that:

• Political parties must disclose the reasons for selecting candidates with criminal cases.
• Such reasons must be made public to enhance transparency and voter awareness.

ADR’s findings indicate that political parties continue to ignore these binding directives, undermining efforts to clean up the electoral system.

A Concerning Pattern Ahead of Bihar Elections 2025

The report has sparked concerns among voters, activists, and election-watch groups, who view this trend as a setback for transparent democracy. With a significant number of candidates failing to share critical information, the integrity of the upcoming Bihar elections faces serious questions.

As the state heads toward the polls, the spotlight is now firmly on the Election Commission and political parties to ensure strict compliance with disclosure norms.