Ludhiana, June 17 -- As the Ludhiana West assembly byelection draws near, disclosures made in nomination papers of the candidates have revealed that nearly 36% of the contesting candidates are facing criminal charges, with one convicted candidate.

According to data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), five out of 14 candidates in the fray have declared criminal cases against them in their nomination papers.

Among these Jatinder Sharma of the National Lok Seva Party is the only declared convicted candidate. As per his affidavit, Kumar was convicted by a Malerkotla court in August, 2010, under Sections 420 and 406 of the IPC, relating to cheating and criminal breach of trust. However, he has filed an appeal, and the case is curren...