Jagdeep Chhokar, ADR co-founder and crusader for clean elections, passes away at 80

New Delhi: Jagdeep S Chhokar, co-founder of poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms and a long-standing advocate for clean elections, passed away in Delhi on Friday after suffering a heart attack, ADR sources said. He was 80.

A retired professor at the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, Chhokar, along with his colleagues, founded the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in 1999.

Over the past two decades, the organisation spearheaded several landmark judicial interventions that brought greater transparency and accountability in Indian politics. These included the 2002 Supreme Court judgment making it mandatory for candidates to disclose their criminal cases, assets, and educational qualifications, as well as the 2024 verdict striking down the Electoral Bonds scheme.

Born on November 25, 1944, Chhokar began his career in the Indian Railways before moving to academia. He pursued an MBA from Delhi University's faculty of management studies and later earned a PhD from the Louisiana State University in the US.

He joined IIM-Ahmedabad in 1985, teaching in the field of organisational behaviour until his retirement in 2006. Chhokar also served as the dean and director-in-charge during his tenure at IIM-Ahmedabad.

Tributes poured in from across the political and public spectrum following his passing.

Former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa wrote on X: "The loss of Prof Jagdeep Chhokar is tragic. He spearheaded the Association of Democratic Reforms, which has rendered yeoman service in maintaining high standards of electoral democracy. People like him and ADR are vital for questioning authorities, a healthy sign for any democracy.”

The loss of Prof Jagdeep Chhokar is tragic. He spearheaded the Association of Democratic Reforms, which has rendered yeoman service in maintaining high standards of electoral democracy. People like him & ADR are vital for questioning authorities, a healthy sign for any democracy

— ashok lavasa (@AshokLavasa) September 12, 2025

Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi said: "Extremely sad to know that Prof Jagdeep Chhokar, founder of ADR, passed away this morning. A crusader for clean elections and electoral reforms, he has donated his body for medical research. May his soul rest in peace."

Extremely sad to know that Prof Jagdeep Chhokar, founder of ADR passed away this morning. A crusader for clean elections and electoral reforms. He has donated his body for medical research. May his soul rest in peace.

— Dr. S.Y. Quraishi (@DrSYQuraishi) September 12, 2025

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha described Chhokar's demise as the "silencing of a conscience that spoke relentlessly for the integrity of India's democracy".

Cannot believe this news!!!
The passing of @JagdeepChhokar is not just the loss of a man; it is the silencing of a conscience that spoke relentlessly for the integrity of India’s democracy. As founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms, he forced the nation to look into… pic.twitter.com/Nv8IoKaxua

— Manoj Kumar Jha (@manojkjhadu) September 12, 2025

"His departure leaves behind a void, and also a legacy – an unfinished task that now belongs to all who care about democracy," Jha said.

Activist and psephologist Yogendra Yadav called Chhokar a "truly selfless champion of democracy and public causes", while lawyer Prashant Bhushan termed his passing "a major setback to democracy in the country".

Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose described Chhokar as an "indefatigable and doughty warrior for democracy", while activist Harsh Mander called him "one of our foremost defenders of democracy" who leaves at a time when it is "most in peril".

Several others, including politician Subhashini Ali, and activists Teesta Setalvad and Shabnam Hashmi also expressed grief and hailed Chhokar's lifelong commitment to transparency, accountability and democratic values.