Jagdeep S Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and a prominent advocate for clean elections, passed away in Delhi at the age of 80. He spearheaded landmark judicial interventions, enhancing transparency and accountability in Indian politics, including mandatory disclosure of candidate information and the striking down of the Electoral Bonds scheme.

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.