“Citizens are the masters. Citizens are the masters in a democracy.”
This is the very first line on the website of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an organisation dedicated to electoral reform.
On Friday, 12 September, one of ADR’s founding members, Prof. Jagdeep Singh Chhokar, passed away. He was widely regarded as a tireless advocate for reforming India’s electoral system.
Prof. Chhokar, aged 81, breathed his last at a hospital in Delhi following a heart attack. Fulfilling his wishes, his body was donated to Lady Hardinge Medical College for research.
The reforms achieved under his leadership over the past 25 years are considered milestones in India’s electoral history. These include public disclosure of candidates’ details for Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, disqualification of convicted MPs and MLAs, publication of political parties’ income tax returns, bringing parties under the ambit of the RTI Act, introducing the NOTA button, and ending the electoral bonds scheme.
Jagdeep Singh Chhokar was born in Kharar, Punjab (now in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district) to Raghbir Singh and Chander Kala.
In the 1990s, several professors from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore became concerned about the growing criminalisation of politics. Among them was Prof. Chhokar, a behavioural science expert, who argued that just as companies disclose their balance sheets, politicians’ “character sheets” should also be made public.
Prof. Trilochan Shastri of IIM Bangalore, along with his colleagues, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court seeking mandatory disclosure of criminal, financial, and educational records of election candidates. During the process, senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal suggested they establish a formal organisation.
Acting on this advice, eleven professors and students — including Trilochan Shastri, Jagdeep Chhokar, and Ajit Ranade — came together to form the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
A landmark judgment was delivered on the PIL in the Delhi High Court on 2 November 2002. The court ruled that every candidate contesting for the Lok Sabha or State Assembly must submit an affidavit detailing their education, income and assets, liabilities, and any criminal cases registered against them.
The Government of India, however, challenged this ruling in the Supreme Court. But in 2002, and again in 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the principle and made it mandatory for all candidates to file such affidavits with the Election Commission before their nominations. This marked a major step in bringing transparency to Indian elections.
Brought NOTA to EVMs
In 2013, when both the Election Commission and political parties were opposed to introducing the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option, Prof. Chhokar stood firm, calling it a basic democratic right. That same year, the Supreme Court gave its approval for NOTA. The inclusion of NOTA on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) gave voters the power to formally reject all candidates on the ballot.
Role in Abolishing Electoral Bonds
The Modi government launched the electoral bond scheme in 2017, with legal implementation beginning in January 2018. The scheme allowed any Indian citizen or company to buy electoral bonds from select State Bank of India branches and anonymously donate to a political party of their choice.
Jagdeep Chhokar often spoke strongly against electoral bonds, warning that allowing anonymous donations posed a serious threat to democratic transparency. He led ADR’s legal battle challenging the scheme, and in 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that electoral bonds were unconstitutional – a landmark victory for transparency in political funding.
Petition in the SIR Case
When the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists began in Bihar, Prof. Chhokar and ADR filed the principal petition in the Supreme Court. They argued that if the electoral rolls were inaccurate, the legitimacy of the entire election process would be at risk. During the hearings, the Election Commission agreed to include Aadhaar as the 12th acceptable document for voter identification. The final judgment in this case, however, is still awaited.
Immense Love for Birds
A lesser-known facet of Prof. Chhokar’s life was his deep affection for birds. In 2001, he earned a certificate in ornithology from the Bombay Natural History Society. Whether on the IIM Ahmedabad campus or while travelling, he found joy in birdwatching and being close to nature.
Researcher and Writer
Prof. Chhokar was also a prolific academic, publishing research in several leading international journals, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Columbia Journal of World Business (now Journal of World Business), International Labour Review, Industrial Relations, and Journal of Safety Research.
Chose Body Donation over Funeral
Honouring his wishes, Prof. Chhokar will not have a traditional funeral. His body has been donated to Lady Hardinge Medical College, where it will be used for research and medical studies – a final gesture of service even in death.