Journalist Payal Mehta passes away in Mumbai at 46

Senior journalist Payal Mehta, an Assistant Editor with CNN-News18, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 46. Mehta, who was widely recognized for her extensive coverage of the Indian Parliament and national political affairs, reportedly experienced sudden uneasiness late on a Saturday night. She was rushed to a hospital around 2 a.m., but doctors were unable to find a pulse before treatment could be administered.

Her death has prompted widespread condolences from India’s top political leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her as a hardworking journalist with a deep understanding of national issues. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tribute, highlighting her professionalism and dedication to the Parliament beat. Other leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, expressed their grief, calling her passing an irreplaceable loss to the journalism community.