Senior journalist Payal Mehta dies, PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi offer condolences

Payal Mehta, a senior journalist with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday (September 20, 2026) 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.

In a post on X, senior journalist Sheela Bhatt said, "On a visit to Mumbai, she developed uneasiness. Around 2 a.m. she was taken to the hospital. Before any treatment could be administered, her pulse went silent.”