Senior Journalist Umesh Upadhyay Passes Away After Tragic Fall in Delhi

New Delhi [India], September 1: Senior journalist Umesh Upadhyay, 65, tragically passed away on Sunday morning after falling from a significant height at an under-construction building in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The incident occurred around 10:30 am while Upadhyay was inspecting the renovation work at his residence in the C-8 block of Vasant Kunj, according to Delhi Police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the demise of senior journalist and writer Umesh Upadhyay ji, who made valuable contributions in the field of digital media and television. His demise is an irreparable loss for the world of journalism. I express my condolences to his family in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!”

According to the Delhi Police, Upadhyay accidentally fell from the fourth floor to the second floor, sustaining severe head injuries and other critical wounds. He was immediately rushed to the Indian Spinal Centre by 11 am, where he succumbed to his injuries despite attempts by medical staff to save him. The police received information about his admission to the hospital at 2:48 PM, following which they initiated a probe into the incident. A post-mortem examination and further investigations are currently underway, with proceedings under Section 194 BNSS being conducted.

The last rites of veteran journalist Umesh Upadhyay will be performed on September 2 at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. Upadhyay had recently penned a book titled “Western Media Narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi”. Born in 1959 in Mathura, the veteran journalist had four decades of experience in print, radio, TV, and digital media. The Press Club of India has also condoled the veteran journalist’s demise, stating, “We are shocked and saddened at the untimely demise of veteran journalist, Umesh Upadhyay. May the almighty give his family and friends enough strength to bear the irreparable loss. He will be missed by his friends in the media fraternity.”

Upadhyay was an alumnus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the University of Delhi. He did his Masters and M Phil at the School of International Studies, JNU, and has served as a member of the Academic Council of Delhi University.