New Delhi: Payal Mehta, a senior journalist with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday in Mumbai.Mehta (46) was on a visit to Mumbai when she developed uneasiness early in the morning. She was rushed to a …

New Delhi: Payal Mehta, a senior journalist with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday in Mumbai.Mehta (46) was on a visit to Mumbai when she developed uneasiness early in the morning. She was rushed to a hospital, where she later passed away.’Mother not a subject of politics’: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over PM Modi’s mimicry at Indore eventPrime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and other Union ministers condoled Mehta’s death.In a post on X, senior journalist Sheela Bhatt said, “On a visit to Mumbai, she developed uneasiness. Around 2 am she was taken to the hospital. Before any treatment could be administered, her pulse went silent”.Sad to share that @payalmehta100 is no more. On a visit to Mumbai she developed uneasiness. Around 2 am she was taken to the hospital. Before any treatment could be administered her pulse went silent. Yesterday by mistake I had dialled her number at 10.49 pm. She responded… pic.twitter.com/d3rSst7feo— Sheela Bhatt शीला भट्ट (@sheela2010) September 20, 2026

Mehta was known for covering the parliament, the government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).’System has captured entire country, which doesn’t want students to raise questions’: Rahul Gandhi”Payal Mehta Ji was a hardworking journalist who remained firmly connected to the ground, bringing a deep understanding of national issues to her reporting,” Modi said in a post on X.Payal Mehta Ji was a hardworking journalist who remained firmly connected to the ground, bringing a deep understanding of national issues to her reporting.Beyond her work, she will be remembered for the kindness and warmth with which she touched so many lives. Her sudden and… pic.twitter.com/4uG7MmzGol— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2026

He emphasised that beyond her work, Mehta would be remembered for the kindness and warmth with which she touched many lives.”Her sudden and untimely passing is extremely saddening. My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May they find strength in this difficult hour. Om Shanti,” he said.Hailing Mehta as a thorough professional committed to delivering detailed information about various issues, Shah remarked that the passing of such a talented journalist is an irreplaceable loss to the field of journalism.Deeply saddened by the demise of senior journalist Payal Mehta Ji.A thorough professional, committed to sharing every detail of information about an issue with her readers and viewers, and a person with a warm personality, was what defined her. The untimely passing of such a…— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 20, 2026

“I extend my deepest condolences to her grieving family and friends and pray to God to give them the strength to bear this profound pain. Om Shanti,” he said.Defence Minister Singh expressed his deep shock and sadness at the news of Mehta’s passing. “She has left us far too soon. Payal was an extremely hardworking and dedicated journalist who covered the Parliament beat with great commitment and professionalism,” he said.Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely passing of journalist Payal Mehta. She has left us far too soon.Payal was an extremely hardworking and dedicated journalist who covered the Parliament beat with great commitment and professionalism. During Parliament…— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 20, 2026

Singh noted that during Parliament sessions, Mehta would be present from early morning until late at night, tirelessly following the proceedings and fulfilling her duties with remarkable dedication.”My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends in this difficult hour. May they find the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Om Shanti,” he said.Expressing grief over Mehta’s death, Congress President Kharge said she was a hardworking and diligent journalist who had a keen understanding of public affairs.Deeply saddened by the passing of Payal Mehta ji. A hardworking and diligent journalist, she covered Parliament and had a keen understanding of public affairs. Her untimely passing is deeply distressing.My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May they… pic.twitter.com/YGWN2IvgSY— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 20, 2026

“Her untimely passing is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May they find strength in this difficult hour,” he said.Gandhi also expressed sadness over Mehta’s demise, saying, “My sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,” he said.Saddened by the untimely demise of journalist Payal Mehta ji, who covered Parliament.My sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 20, 2026

Speaker Birla said that Mehta’s passing is a profound loss to journalism. “May God grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family,” he said.मेधावी, वरिष्ठ पत्रकार पायल मेहता जी का असामयिक निधन अत्यंत दुःखद है। पायल जी लंबे समय से संसद की खबरों को कवर कर रही थीं।उनका देहावसान पत्रकारिता के लिए गहरी क्षति है। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति तथा शोकसंतप्त परिवार को संबल प्रदान करें।— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) September 20, 2026

Minister for Railways and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his sorrow over the passing of “journalist and dear friend Payal Mehta.” “Her dedication to reporting was exemplary. Om Shanti,” he said.Deeply pained by the untimely passing of journalist and dear friend Payal Mehta. Her dedication to reporting was exemplary. Om Shanti— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) September 20, 2026

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said he was deeply shocked by the news of Mehta’s passing.I'm extremely shocked by the news of Payal Mehta’s passing away!Had just attended her father’s prayer service a few days ago.Payal used to be as regular as me in Parliament during sessions. She was a true professional journalist.Heartfelt prayers for her departed soul ॐ शांति pic.twitter.com/ZKLClGRJmm— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 20, 2026

“Had just attended her father’s prayer service a few days ago. Payal used to be as regular as me in Parliament during sessions. She was a true professional journalist. Heartfelt prayers for her departed soul. Om Shanti,” Rijiju said.BJP-RSS have hollowed out education system; Rahul Gandhi standing with students: CongressMaharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis said he was deeply pained to know about the sudden demise of the “very hardworking” journalist. “She used to meet me whenever I was in New Delhi and always on the field. She will be remembered for her dedication towards journalism. My deepest condolences to her family and friends,” he said.Shocked and deeply pained to know about the sudden demise of a very hardworking and senior journalist Payal Mehta.She used to meet me whenever I was in New Delhi and always on the field. She will be remembered for her dedication towards journalism.My deepest condolences to her…— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) September 20, 2026

Assam Chief Minister Sarma expressed his sadness upon hearing of Mehta’s passing. “I have known her for a long time. She was full of life and brought an infectious energy to everything she did. Yet for all her dedication to her work, what stood out most was how deeply she valued her relationships,” he said.Deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the passing away of journalist Payal Mehta in Mumbai. I have known her for a long time. She was full of life and brought an infectious energy to everything she did. Yet for all her dedication to her work, what stood out most was how… pic.twitter.com/wNEeacLXZf— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 20, 2026

Conveying his deepest condolences to Mehta’s family, Sarma said, “I pray they find the strength to navigate this difficult phase. Prayers for her sadgati. Om Shanti”.

Source: Deccan Herald