Jagdeep S. Chhokar, a towering figure in the movement for electoral reform and transparency in India, passed away in Delhi in the early hours of Friday, September 12, 2025, after suffering a heart attack at 3:30 a.m., according to family sources. His death, at the age of 80, has sent ripples of shock and grief across India’s civil society, academic community, and those devoted to the cause of strengthening the world’s largest democracy.
Chhokar’s journey from academia to activism is a story of relentless dedication. After a distinguished career at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, he co-founded the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in 1999. As reported by The Wire, this pioneering organization quickly became a cornerstone in the fight for transparency and accountability in Indian elections. Under Chhokar’s stewardship, ADR not only galvanized public opinion but also played a pivotal role in changing the very rules of the game.
Perhaps Chhokar’s most enduring legacy lies in his role as the key legal strategist behind several landmark Supreme Court judgments. These rulings mandated that political parties must disclose the criminal, financial, and educational backgrounds of their candidates—a move that fundamentally altered the landscape of Indian electoral politics. This wasn’t just a bureaucratic tweak; it was a seismic shift that gave ordinary voters tools to scrutinize their would-be representatives, making the democratic process a little less opaque and a lot more accountable.
But Chhokar was never one to rest on his laurels. Even as he entered his ninth decade, he remained a tireless campaigner. According to Scroll.in, he continued to challenge the opacity surrounding electoral bonds—financial instruments that critics argue allow for anonymous political donations and undermine transparency. His advocacy didn’t stop there. Chhokar was also a vocal proponent of robust and just verification of electoral rolls, recognizing that the right to vote is the lifeblood of democracy and must be vigilantly protected.
His most recent activism focused on the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, a state poised for crucial elections. Chhokar raised the alarm that the SIR, as conducted by the Election Commission of India, risked disenfranchising large numbers of citizens. ADR, with Chhokar at its helm, became a petitioner in the Supreme Court, challenging the Commission’s approach and calling for greater transparency and fairness. As reported by The Hindu, this legal battle is ongoing, with various political figures from across the spectrum joining the cause.
The news of Chhokar’s passing was met with a chorus of tributes from across India’s political and civil landscape. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha, lawyer Sanjay Hegde, former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa, and numerous journalists were among those who expressed their condolences. Jha, in a statement quoted by NDTV, called Chhokar’s demise "the silencing of a conscience that spoke relentlessly for India’s democracy," adding that Chhokar had "forced the nation to look into the mirror of its electoral practices and confront the cracks beneath the surface of its democratic edifice."
Former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa, reflecting on Chhokar’s contribution, said, as reported by The Indian Express, that the ADR 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." Lavasa’s words echoed the sentiments of many who saw Chhokar not just as a reformer, but as a guardian of democratic values.
Former chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, in a message of condolence shared on social media and reported by The Times of India, remarked: "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." The gesture of donating his body for medical research, noted by several commentators, was seen as a final act of service to society—a fitting epilogue to a life spent in the pursuit of the public good.
Chhokar’s influence extended far beyond the courtroom and lecture hall. As The Print notes, his unwavering commitment to democratic principles inspired a generation of activists, lawyers, and ordinary citizens. He believed that democracy is not a spectator sport and that every citizen has both the right and the responsibility to hold power to account. His work with ADR set a template for how civil society can engage constructively—and sometimes confrontationally—with the state to demand better governance.
The reforms championed by Chhokar and ADR have had a real, measurable impact. The requirement for candidates to disclose their criminal records, assets, and educational qualifications has become a fixture of Indian elections. Voters now routinely consult these disclosures when making decisions at the ballot box—a practice that was unthinkable before ADR’s interventions. This transparency, though imperfect, has led to greater scrutiny of candidates and, in some cases, has dissuaded parties from fielding individuals with questionable backgrounds.
Yet, as Chhokar himself often acknowledged, the struggle for clean politics is an ongoing one. The introduction of electoral bonds, for instance, has introduced new challenges, with critics arguing that it has created fresh avenues for unaccounted money to flow into the political system. Chhokar’s advocacy against this system was driven by his conviction that sunlight remains the best disinfectant—a belief that resonated with many across the political spectrum.
His passing comes at a time when questions about the integrity of India’s electoral processes are as urgent as ever. The controversy over the SIR in Bihar, ongoing debates about the use of technology in voting, and concerns about the influence of money in politics all underscore the relevance of Chhokar’s life’s work. As his colleagues and admirers reflect on his legacy, there is a palpable sense that the torch he carried must now be picked up by others.
Jagdeep S. Chhokar’s story is a reminder that democracy’s health depends on the vigilance and courage of its citizens. Through his legal acumen, moral clarity, and unwavering commitment, he helped make India’s elections a little fairer and its democracy a little stronger. His absence will be keenly felt, but his example will continue to inspire those who believe that a better, more transparent politics is not just possible, but necessary.
