US EditionJagdeep Chhokar, ADR founder, dies at 80. Who was he?
Jagdeep Chhokar co-founded the Association for Democratic Reforms in 1999, leading key transparency cases including the 2024 Supreme Court ruling against electoral bonds.
- Jagdeep S. Chhokar, who helped establish the nonprofit dedicated to electoral transparency known as the Association for Democratic Reforms, passed away in Delhi on September 12, 2025, at the age of 80 following a heart attack.
- He founded ADR in 1999 with IIM-A colleagues to promote transparency and accountability in Indian elections and governance.
- Chhokar led ADR’s efforts resulting in major reforms like the 2002 Supreme Court ruling mandating candidate disclosures and the 2024 scrapping of electoral bonds.
- Ashok Lavasa recognized him as essential for sustaining a healthy electoral system, while Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal described his passing as the quieting of a powerful voice that championed the integrity of India’s democratic process.
- Chhokar’s legacy as a mentor, researcher, and activist leaves a void and an unfinished task to strengthen democratic integrity and electoral fairness.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Remembering Jagdeep S. Chhokar: A Relentless Crusader for Clean Politics
Even at 81, Professor saab, as he was fondly called, was never on vacation. I remember once calling him for a quote for a story, only to learn he was at his holiday home in Goa. Embarrassed, I told him we could talk later. Minutes later, my phone rang. It was him, ready with a crisp line for the story. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added with a chuckle, “People like us are never on vacation.” It was more than a quip. It was the ethos of a …
Jagdeep Chhokar, ADR co-founder and crusader for clean elections, passes away at 80
New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) 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, […]
Remembering Jagdeep S Chhokar: A Crusader for Clean Elections
Jagdeep S Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms, passed away at 80. A former IIM-Ahmedabad professor, Chhokar was a key advocate for electoral transparency, instrumental in Supreme Court mandates on disclosures by candidates and challenging the Electoral Bonds scheme. Tributes celebrate his contributions to Indian democracy.
‘A crusader for clean elections and electoral reforms’: ADR founder Jagdeep Chhokar passes away at 80
Jagdeep S Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms and a champion for electoral integrity, has passed away at 80. His legacy drives the push for electoral reforms, ensuring transparency in India’s democracy.
Jagdeep Chhokar, ADR founder, dies at 80. Who was he?
Jagdeep Chhokar, founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms, passed away at 81, leaving a legacy of advocacy for transparency in Indian politics. His work challenged electoral malpractices and sought to uphold the integrity of democracy. His contributions will resonate beyond his lifetime.
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