Seven of 21 new Indian ministers have been charged with crimes
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 11 November, 2014, 10:46pm
UPDATED : Wednesday, 12 November, 2014, 7:11pm
Reuters in New Delhi
Narendra Modi has promised to root out corruption. Photo: Reuters
Attempted murder, waging war on the state, criminal intimidation and fraud are some of the charges on the rap sheets of ministers Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appointed to his cabinet, jarring with his pledge to clean up politics.
Seven of 21 new ministers appointed on Sunday face prosecution, taking the total in the 66-member cabinet to almost one third, a higher proportion than before the weekend expansion.
At least five people in the cabinet have been charged with serious offences such as rape and rioting. But Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said any suggestions there were criminals in the cabinet were "completely baseless".
"These are cases arising out of criminal accusations, not cases out of a crime," Jaitley said, adding that Modi had personally vetted the new ministers.
Ram Shankar Katheria (left) and Hansraj Gangaram Ahir
Ram Shankar Katheria was appointed junior education minister yet has been accused of more than 20 offences including attempted murder and promoting religious or racial hostility.
Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, the new junior chemicals and fertiliser minister is charged with around 20 offences, including intent to wage war against India, criminal intimidation and abetting a mutiny.
The inclusion of such politicians does not sit easily with Modi's election promise to root out corruption, and has led to criticism that he is failing to change a political culture where wealthy, tainted politicians sometimes find it easier to win votes.
"It shows scant respect for the rule of law or public sentiment," said Jagdeep Chhokar, of the Association for Democratic Reforms which campaigns for better governance.
Soon after coming to power, Modi called for courts to fast-track cases against politicians in an effort to curb political criminality. Court cases in India often drag on for years.
Yet Modi's cabinet includes twice as many politicians facing criminal charges as the previous Congress party one.
Shrikant Sharma, a spokesman for Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, said it was up to courts to decide if ministers were guilty, and many of the charges related to political rivalries.
