Bhubaneswar, March 10 -- As many as 137 sitting and former lawmakers in Odisha are facing criminal cases, revealed Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling in the Assembly today.

Mahaling made this revelation while replying to a query of Rairakhol MLA and deputy leader of BJD legislature party Prasanna Acharya in the House.

As per the data submitted by the minister, altogether 39 criminal cases have been registered against 22 sitting and former MPs from the state.

Similarly, as many as 418 criminal cases have been registered against 115 sitting and former MLAs in Odisha.

Of the total 457 criminal cases, altogether 198 cases are political in nature, the minister informed the House.

At least 384 cases against the sitting and form...