TV journalist Rohit Sardana succumbs to COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi, top leaders express condolences

NEW DELHI: Renowned TV journalist Rohit Sardana succumbed to the deadly COVID-19 infection on Friday. Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary informed about his untimely demise through a tweet.

अब से थोड़ी पहले @capt_ivane का फ़ोन आया।उसने जो कहा सुनकर मेरे हाथ काँपने लगे।हमारे मित्र और सहयोगी रोहित सरदाना की मृत्यु की ख़बर थी।ये वाइरस हमारे इतने क़रीब से किसी को उठा ले जाएगा ये कल्पना नहीं की थी।इसके लिए मैं तैयार नहीं था।ये भगवान की नाइंसाफ़ी है..
ॐ शान्ति — Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) April 30, 2021

The untimely and shocking demise of Rohit Sardana, who had a long and very successful association with the Zee Media, has left the media world in a state of utter shock.  

As the news of Sardana's death spread, condolences started pouring in on social media.

PM Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences on Rohit's untimely demise. "Rohit Sardana left us too soon. Full of energy, passionate about India’s progress and a kind-hearted soul, Rohit will be missed by many people. His untimely demise has left a huge void in the media world. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti."

Rohit Sardana left us too soon. Full of energy, passionate about India’s progress and a kind hearted soul, Rohit will be missed by many people. His untimely demise has left a huge void in the media world. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 30, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was "pained" to learn about Rohit Sardana ji’s untimely demise.

Pained to learn about Shri Rohit Sardana ji’s untimely demise. In him, the nation has lost a brave journalist who always stood up for unbiased and fair reporting. May God give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss. My deepest condolences to his family and followers. — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 30, 2021

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala in a tweet said, "Deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the demise of Aaj Tak journalist Rohit Sardana. It`s simply unbelievable. Rohit had recovered from Covid-19 and was back at work. My heartfelt condolences to the family members and Aaj Tak group."

Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill also took to twitter and wrote, "Completely shocked on hearing the news about passing away of my dear friend Rohit Sardana - spoke to him last Sunday and he was in great spirits!! Still can`t come to terms with this - will forever cherish our after debate conversations, rest in peace "bhaji"."

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also condoled his death. 

हिंदी मीडिया जगत में बहुत कम समय में अपनी बड़ी पहचान स्थापित करने वाले पत्रकार, रोहित सरदाना के निधन के समाचार से मैं स्तब्ध हूँ।

वे बेहद प्रतिभाशाली और प्रभावी पत्रकार थे। उनके निधन से मीडिया जगत को बहुत बड़ी क्षति पहुँची है।उनके परिवार के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएँ। ॐ शान्ति! — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 30, 2021

Sardana's colleagues said that he died of cardiac arrest while he was also COVID-19 infected at the same time.  

He had hosted the popular 'Taal Thok Ke', a debate programme that discusses contemporary issues in India on Zee News. 

Sardana left Zee News to join Aaj Tak in 2017 and, since then, he was hosting the debate show ''Dangal.''

He was a recipient of the 2018 Ganesh Vidyarthi Puraskar Award. He was among the most popular faces of TV news journalism in India.