Latest news with #Chhokar
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Half of Bihar could lose voting rights: ADR's Jagdeep Chhokar on EC's voter list revision
The Election Commission's (EC) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar has triggered a political storm, with the opposition Congress dubbing it 'a rigging attempt' orchestrated by the poll panel under instructions from the ruling regime. Jagdeep Chhokar said the SIR is problematic and illegal as people added to the rolls after January 1, 2003 have been deleted without due process.(X/@JagdeepChhokar) At least half a dozen petitions by political parties, individuals and civil society groups have been filed in the Supreme Court against what they call a 'blatantly unconstitutional' exercise. Impractical reasoning The Supreme Court will hear these petitions on July 10. Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder of the election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and one of the petitioners in SC against SIR, says the process is 'illegal and impractical.' Half of Bihar could lose voting rights if SIR is not stopped right now, Chhokar tells Hindustan Times. 'In its June 24, 2025 notification, the EC said there is a presumption of citizenship for people whose names are in the electoral rolls before January 1, 2003. This means there is no presumption of citizenship for people added to the rolls after January 1, 2003. This also means people added to the voter list from January 1, 2003, to June 23, 2025, have effectively been deleted from the electoral rolls,' he says. Deletion of names But there are laws for the deletion of names from the voters' list, the ADR co-founder points out. 'The Registration of Electors Rule, 1960 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 say if the EC intends to delete voters' names, it has to send a notice to the person or persons. The poll panel is supposed to find reasons why his or her name should not be deleted, so there is a provision for giving a personal hearing. Chhokar says people who were added to the rolls after January 1, 2003, have been deleted without following due process. That is precisely why the SIR is problematic and illegal, he says. ALSO READ | Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar progressing as per order: EC The election commission is empowered to conduct a summary or intensive revision of electoral rolls whenever it wants, for reasons to be recorded. The EC has cited rapid urbanisation, frequent migration, young citizens becoming eligible to vote, non-reporting of deaths, and inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants as reasons that have necessitated the intensive revision. 'But these reasons have been there for 20-25 years. These reasons being cited right now are not justified." The question of voter eligibility The issue of voter eligibility is another problem in the entire process, he says. 'Voter eligibility comes from Form VI, which has a declaration certifying that the person is a citizen of India with details. The person gives a certificate as proof of his date of birth, be it Aadhaar or any other document. But the notification issued on June 24 talks about a new declaration. So this is a change in the criteria for eligibility of a voter. This is illegal when done by the EC. This can be done by the Home Ministry, but not by the EC,' he says. ALSO READ | All eligible citizens will be included: CEC on voter list revision in Bihar Chhokar also questions the speed at which the SIR is being done. The EC started the exercise on June 25 and will complete it in about a month. 'A BLO goes to a voter's house and gives the enumeration form. The next time, he goes and collects the form. Each BLO has to go to a voter's house at least twice. Is it possible to complete the exercise in one month?' he asks. In the face of criticism, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on July 6 defended the SIR of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state, saying the poll panel had 'invited all recognised political parties for interaction' on the matter and 'no one was satisfied with the current status of electoral rolls for one reason or the other'. Migrant population Chhokar points out that since 30-40 per cent of people from Bihar migrate to other states, it is not possible for them to fill out the enumeration forms. 'They won't be at home. The EC says that these people can download the form from the website, fill it, and upload. Now, imagine how a labourer from Bihar working in farms in Punjab and construction sites in Worli, Mumbai, can download and upload this form,' he says. After the row, Bihar CEO issued an advertisement in newspapers saying one need not give documents and Aadhaar would do. But, Chhokar says, in a press note issued on July 6, EC said 'the electors can submit their documents any time before July 25, 2025.' 'This statement contradicts what the Bihar CEO says about 'Aadhaar will do', and that no other documents are required,' he says. If this is being done and in the way it is being done, Chhokar says, more than half of the people of Bihar would be disenfranchised. EC can do the revision exercise, but Barring the citizenship question, Chhokar says, the EC can do the revision exercise. 'But the way it is being done is problematic. Had they done this a year ago, it would have been okay. The EC can do it legally, but that doesn't mean you violate existing laws. There are Supreme Court judgements, too,' he says. The ADR has prayed that SIR be stopped completely, and if not now, at least order a stay and discuss it before taking it up again. 'If it is not stopped now, it will disrupt the electoral process and disenfranchise people. We know that if someone is not proven to be a citizen, he can also be deported. This is very dangerous,' Chhokar says.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: Next Goal
As it closes in on the 11th year in power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the BJP is learnt to have planned an information blitz over the next two to three weeks on the NDA government's achievements in all these years. Party insiders said the aim of the campaign is mainly to underline the success of the Central government's welfare schemes and the extent to which they have benefited the poor, but the party also seeks to 'dispel the gloom' around the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, through the initiative. PARTICIPATING IN a panel discussion on journalist Poonam Agarwal's book — India Inked — Congress leader Pawan Khera and Association for Democratic Reforms co-founder Jagdeep S Chhokar got into a heated exchange over the condition of civil society during different goverenments. Khera felt that civil society was in the ICU under the NDA government's rule, while during the UPA government's time, it was demanding and effective. 'Hamare waqt civil society ka aatank tha (During our time, civil society was terrifying),' he said. Chhokar countered Khera's argument while pointing to the packed hall, which he said was proof of the civil society being alive and active. Khera, the only politician on the panel, was later seen greeting and shaking hands with Chhokar. AFTER SEVERAL cancellations and postponements, the Congress's workshop for its media department chairpersons from different states is finally happening on Friday. Party sources said the workshop was postponed at least five times in view of the ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The workshop was first scheduled for May 7, but was cancelled after India launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Congress sources said the workshop will be addressed by senior leaders, including party's communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh and OBC department head Anil Jaihind among others. The workshop will include current topics and the caste census to 'sensitise' the party's spokespersons on these issues.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Ex-Cong MLA arrested from Delhi's five-star hotel
New Delhi: Dharam Singh Chhokar, former Congress legislator from Haryana, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) team from one of the leading five-star hotels in the national capital on Monday. The former MLA from Haryana's Samalkha has been arrested in a money laundering case worth Rs 1,500 crore. Chhokar has been under the ED scanner for quite some time over illegal land dealings and duping the common public by fraudulent means. The case allegedly pertains to a housing project in Gurugram, touted as one under Deendayal Awas Yojana, where he collected funds from the public but didn't deliver the housing units. Chhokar and his associates are accused of siphoning off public funds to the tune of Rs 1,500 crore for personal use. According to ED sources, the former MLA and his realty firm duped and hoodwinked at least 2,000 investors, who put their money in his housing project. The arrest of a former legislator in a filmy fashion also raises curiosity. The ED team arrested him from a leading five-star hotel in the national capital, after ascertaining his presence there. Notably, Chhokar's son Sikandar was also arrested in a money laundering case earlier. Properties worth over Rs 44 crore linked to Chhokar were also seized by the ED team in December last year. The move assumes significance as the two-time Samalkha legislator is considered close to former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda. His arrest in the Rs 1500 money laundering case is set to send political temperatures soaring, with the BJP likely to step up the heat on Congress for 'sheltering' land grabbers and looters. Notably, Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi's husband, is already facing the ED heat in a Haryana land case and was also recently grilled by the agency for 'making a moolah' with 'illicit' land deals, during the Congress regime.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Watch: ED sleuths pin down fleeing ex-Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhokar outside Delhi hotel
NEW DELHI: CCTV footage captured dramatic visuals of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials chasing and arresting former Haryana Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhokar inside the Shangri-La Hotel in central Delhi on Sunday night. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) Sources described ED officials received a late-evening tip-off that Chhokar—wanted in a Rs 363 crore money laundering case—was spotted at Grappa, the hotel's plush ground-floor bar. ED joint director Navaneet Agrawal from Gurgaon zone arrived at the hotel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Minutes later, he locked eyes on Chhokar at the bar. As more ED officials reached the spot and informed Chhokar about the seven non-bailable warrants issued against him, the situation escalated. Sources said that Chhokar, aided by his bodyguards, attempted to flee when he realized he was about to be taken into custody. They tried to force their way to the exit through the hotel lobby, aiming to reach a waiting car at the portico. However, ED joint director Navaneet Agrawal pursued him through the lobby. In the chaos that followed, the former MLA allegedly tried to assault ED officials and hotel staff in a desperate bid to escape. Agrawal managed to pin him down, and the ED team eventually restrained Chhokar and placed him in their vehicle. CCTV footage showed Chhokar refusing to cooperate and attempting to escape from the car, prompting the team to call in a local constable for assistance. He was then taken to the ED office for questioning and subsequently arrested. On Monday, a Gurgaon court remanded him to six days of ED custody. Sikander, son of Chhokar, had previously been apprehended by ED in connection with this case. In July 2023, the agency confiscated substantial assets, including properties, vehicles, cash and jewellery valued at several crores. Chhokar, who represented Samalkha constituency twice as an MLA—initially on an HJC ticket in 2009 and subsequently as a Congress legislator in 2019—was unsuccessful in his recent attempt during the 2024 election.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Former Haryana Congress MLA facing 7 NBWs spotted at Delhi luxury hotel, arrested after dramatic chase
Former Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhokar apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate GURGAON: Amid high drama that involved a chase across the lobby of Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi on Sunday night, former Congress MLA Dharam Singh Chhokar was arrested by Enforcement Directorate , which is investigating him for money laundering. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Sources said the agency received an input around 8.30pm that Chhokar (61) – who has been declared a proclaimed offender and faces seven non-bailable warrants issued by a Gurgaon court – was at Grappa , Shangri-La's bar on the ground floor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn How Smart Traders Use Data to Navigate Volatile Markets Trader Headline Learn More Undo Navaneet Agrawal , joint director of ED's Gurgaon zone, reached the hotel within 30 minutes and located Chhokar at the bar. Soon after, the investigating officer of the case also reached the hotel and informed Chhokar about the warrants against him. The sources said Chhokar, aided by his bodyguards, tried to get away when he realised he could be taken into custody. They tried to force their way to the exit, which is down the lobby so that they could get to the car at the portico. Agrawal, according to the sources, chased Chhokar down. In the melee that followed, the former MLA allegedly tried to assault ED officers and hotel staff in his bid to escape. Agrawal, however, managed to pin him down. Eventually, the ED team managed to restrain him and put him in the car. But with Chhokar not cooperating and making attempts to escape from the car, a local constable had to be called to assist in the arrest, the sources said. Chhokar was taken to the ED office for questioning and later arrested. He was on Monday sent to six-day ED custody by a Gurgaon court. The case relates to alleged irregularities by the Mahira Group, a real estate company owned by Chhokar and his sons. ED is investigating alleged money laundering by Chhokar through shell companies and fake construction bills. The group allegedly collected Rs 363 crore from around 1,500 homebuyers under an affordable housing scheme, promising delivery by 2021-22 but never fulfilling it. Mahira has five affordable housing projects in sectors 63A, 68, 95, 103 and 104 in Gurgaon but none is complete yet. Chhokar's son Sikander was arrested earlier by ED in the same case. The agency also seized properties, vehicles, cash, and jewellery worth crores in July 2023. Chhokar, who served two terms as MLA from Samalkha—first on an HJC ticket in 2009 and then as a Congress legislator in 2019 — contested again in the 2024 election but lost.
