Jagdeep Chhokar, ADR Co-Founder Dies At 802WE
Jagdeep S Chhokar, co-founder of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and a tireless advocate for clean elections, dies in Delhi on Friday after suffering a heart attack. He was 80.
A retired professor of organisational behaviour at the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad, Chhokar co-founded ADR in 1999, alongside his colleagues, to push for transparency and accountability in Indian politics.
Under his leadership, ADR played a pivotal role in landmark judicial interventions, including the 2002 Supreme Court judgment mandating candidates to disclose their criminal records, assets, and qualifications, and the 2024 ruling that struck down the Electoral Bonds scheme.
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Born on November 25, 1944, Chhokar began his career in the Indian Railways before moving to academia. He earned his MBA from Delhi University’s Faculty of Management Studies and later a PhD from Louisiana State University in the US. He joined IIM-Ahmedabad in 1985, serving as dean and director-in-charge before retiring in 2006.
Tributes poured in from political leaders, academics, and activists. Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi remembered him as a “crusader for clean elections.”
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
Ashok Lavasa praised ADR’s “yeoman service” under his leadership. Activists including Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Harsh Mander, and Teesta Setalvad hailed his integrity and lifelong commitment to democracy.
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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
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha described his passing as “the silencing of a conscience that spoke relentlessly for the integrity of India’s democracy.”
Jagdeep Chhokar IIM director whose ADR made politicians divulge information passes away https://t.co/bBRJyOqyzM
— Manoj Kumar Jha (@manojkjhadu) September 12, 2025
