A recent report by the poll rights organization, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), has shed light on the criminal and financial backgrounds of the newly sworn-in ministers in Delhi. The findings are based on the self-sworn affidavits submitted by the ministers before the 2025 Delhi Assembly Elections.
According to the ADR’s analysis, many of the ministers in Delhi’s new cabinet have declared criminal cases against themselves. Out of the seven ministers, including Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, five individuals, approximately 71 percent of the total, have admitted to having criminal cases registered against them. Among these five, one minister, Ashish Sood, has been found to have serious criminal charges leveled against him, further highlighting concerns over the criminal records of public representatives.
In addition to their legal histories, the financial backgrounds of the ministers also present noteworthy details. The report indicates that two of the seven ministers, amounting to roughly 29 percent of the total, have declared themselves as billionaires. These financial disclosures offer insight into the economic stature of the members of the cabinet.
The minister with the highest declared assets is Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who represents the Rajouri Garden constituency. According to the affidavit submitted by him, his total assets amount to an impressive Rs. 248.85 crores, making him the wealthiest minister in the newly formed cabinet. In contrast, the minister with the lowest declared assets is Kapil Mishra from the Karawal Nagar constituency, who has reported assets worth Rs. 1.06 crores.
The average asset value of the seven ministers stands at Rs. 56.03 crores, reflecting a high level of wealth among the cabinet members. However, along with significant assets, all seven ministers have also declared liabilities. Among them, Parvesh Sahib Singh, who represents the New Delhi constituency, has reported the highest liabilities amounting to Rs. 74.36 crores.
In terms of educational qualifications, the majority of the ministers possess higher academic credentials. Six out of the seven ministers, which translates to approximately 86 percent, have completed graduate-level education or higher degrees. However, one minister in the cabinet has reported his highest education level as the completion of the 12th standard.
The age demographics of the cabinet indicate that the ministers belong to the middle-aged category. Five ministers, making up 71 percent of the cabinet, fall within the age group of 41 to 50 years, while the remaining two ministers, comprising 29 percent, are aged between 51 and 60 years.
Gender representation in the new cabinet is minimal, with only one woman serving as a minister. Notably, this female minister is none other than the Chief Minister herself, Rekha Gupta. This highlights the continued gender imbalance in political leadership and governance within the region.
The report by ADR brings attention to various aspects of the new Delhi cabinet, including legal backgrounds, financial standings, educational qualifications, and gender representation. These insights offer a broader understanding of the composition of the new government and raise important questions about governance, accountability, and representation in the political landscape of Delhi.