Calling for transparency in politics, Jagdeep S Chhokar helped establish the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)

p>Jagdeep S Chhokar, who spearheaded campaigns for free and fair elections, passed away in the national capital on Friday following heart attack. He was 81.

Calling for transparency in politics, Jagdeep S Chhokar helped establish the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Petitioners including him in a legal battle spearheaded by ADR eventually led the apex court to declare electoral bonds as unconstitutional.

Started as mechanical engineer with the Indian Railways, he ended up as a professor, Dean, and Director In-Charge at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

Upon retirement, Jagdeep S Chhokar devoted himself entirely to activism favouring democracy and transparency.

Jagdeep, who had been under treatment for a fractured shoulder from a fall, suffered a heart attack at 3.30 am. Alongside, he was down with a lung infection.

His IIM colleague Trilochan Sastry triggered the activist in Jagdeep back in 1999 after Sastry’s scrutiny of nomination papers of candidates for Lok Sabha elections raised questions about transparency.

Back then, candidates were asked to give basic details like name, address, voter registration number, and father’s or husband’s name.

Jagdeep, Sastry and others demanded more information leading a campaign which ended up in forming ADR.

Responding to their petition, the Delhi High Court in November 2000 ordered candidates to submit an affidavit to disclose their educational qualifications, income, and criminal records.

As the Union government appealed, the apex court gave the Election Commission two months to implement the High Court order.

Politicians unanimously opposed the move calling for amending the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The Supreme Court struck down the amendment terming it unconstitutional after ADR approached the court.

Jagdeep continued his activism even in his 80s campaigning against electoral bonds alongside expressing concerns at the special intensive revision in Bihar.