A report submitted to the Kerala High Court reveals a staggering 555 criminal cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs, including serious charges of sexual harassment and murder.

Key Takeaways

  • 555 criminal cases are pending against current and former MPs/MLAs in Kerala as of June 2026.
  • IUML leader M.C. Kamaruddin faces approximately 120 cases under the BUDS Act.
  • Thiruvananthapuram leads with the highest number of pending cases (180).
  • Charges range from public tranquillity offences to sexual harassment and murder.

The political landscape in Kerala has come under intense scrutiny following a report submitted by the District Judiciary to the Kerala High Court. The findings reveal that as of June 30, 2026, there are 555 criminal cases pending against sitting or former Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Notably, 260 of these cases pertain to offences against public tranquillity, often stemming from political protests and demonstrations.

High-Profile Accusations

The report highlights M.C. Kamaruddin, a prominent Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former legislator, who tops the list with nearly 120 pending cases. Most of these are registered under the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act (BUDS Act), following his involvement in the 2019 Fashion Gold Jewellery investment fraud.

Furthermore, the judiciary has identified five representatives facing sexual harassment charges, including Kovalam MLA M. Vincent, former Kazhakuttam MLA M.A. Vaheed, Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi, former Parassala MLA A.T. George, and Kunnathunadu MLA V.P. Sajeendran. Even more severe are the murder charges pending against former Koothuparamba MLA P. Jayarajan and former Kalliassery MLA T.V. Rajesh.

Geographic Breakdown of Cases

The concentration of legal proceedings varies significantly across the state. Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of cases at 180, followed by Kasaragod with 133 and Kannur with 50. The high volume of BUDS Act cases was particularly noted in the Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the rising tide of criminal litigation against lawmakers poses a significant challenge to the integrity of the legislative process. When public representatives are frequently embroiled in legal battles, it shifts the focus from governance to litigation, potentially undermining democratic trust.

The judicial monitoring of cases against lawmakers is essential to ensure that political influence does not impede the course of justice.
Did You Know?: The BUDS Act was specifically designed to prevent unregulated entities from collecting deposits through fraudulent schemes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which district has the most pending cases against MLAs/MPs?
Thiruvananthapuram has the highest number of pending cases, totaling 180.

2. What is the most common type of charge against these representatives?
Offences against public tranquillity, often related to political demonstrations, account for 260 of the 555 cases.