Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
IAS, Uttarakhand cadre, 1988 batch
Election Commissioner of India (since 15 Mar 2024)
By the numbers
1 extension
Six months beyond 31 Jul 2023 superannuation as Uttarakhand CS. garhwalpost.in
43 days from retirement to Election Commissioner
31 Jan 2024 to 14 Mar 2024. api.sci.gov.in
The rise, step by step
Each step is solid where two sources carry it, a hairline where one does.
One report
Joins IAS; serves in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab and at the Centre.
One report
Takes charge as Chairman, National Highways Authority of India (from Additional Secretary, Higher Education).
One report
Appointed Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, the first bureaucratic change days after Pushkar Singh Dhami replaced Tirath Singh Rawat as CM.
One report
As Chief Secretary, oversees preparation of Uttarakhand's draft Uniform Civil Code Bill.
One report
Centre grants a six-month service extension (1 Aug 2023 to 31 Jan 2024) at CM Dhami's request.
One report
Retires as Chief Secretary; appointed Secretary to the Lokpal in February 2024 for one year.
One report
Selected Election Commissioner by the PM-led committee (LoP member dissenting on procedure); President approves the same day.
Cases on the way up
Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code draft Bill
- Role
- Chief Secretary overseeing preparation
- Outcome
- The Uttarakhand Assembly passed the UCC Bill on 7 Feb 2024, a week after he left office (IE). Later challenges not tracked here.
What courts and officials said
Expressed 'concern on the procedure adopted for selection' but refused to stay the appointments; noted 'the petitioners have not commented or questioned the merits of the persons selected/appointed as ECs.'
The other side
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (selection committee member, Mar 2024)
- Recorded dissent; said shortlisted names were shared 8-10 minutes before the meeting. indianexpress.com
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (on X, Jul 2021, on his NHAI tenure)
- "His tenure was among the best ever achieved in NHAI." indianexpress.com
Documents
Order Dr. Jaya Thakur v Union of India (EC appointments), order on stay applications, Mar 2024
We must, however express our concern on the procedure adopted for selection of the incumbents to the two vacant posts of ECs, a significant constitutional post.
Sources
These are documented facts placed side by side. Nothing here asserts or implies wrongdoing by any officer. Acquittals, dismissed petitions and clean chits are recorded alongside adverse findings. Every source was opened and checked on Oct 2026.
Photo: Election Commission of India, Government of India, GODL-India