LUCKNOW: A woman once known as a “bandit queen” has announced she will contest state elections in northern India with a promise to help rehabilitate other criminals. Thirty-five-year-old Seema Parihar, whose name was synonymous with terror until she surrendered in 2003, is seeking a seat in the Uttar Pradesh state assembly as a candidate for the Indian Justice Party.

The party champions the cause of “Dalits,” the lowest strata of the Hindu social hierarchy, while Parihar said she would also be addressing demands for better law and order in India's most populous state where crime is rife. “If I win, I will start a rehabilitation programme for former dacoits (bandits),” Parihar also promised ahead of the April 7 polls.

At the time of her surrender, Parihar was linked to 70 murders, 30 robberies and 200 kidnappings. She was charged in 29 cases, but was acquitted in 15. She still faces charges on 14 cases and is out on bail.—AFP