{
  "id": 8624107,
  "title": "Senior Journalist Payal Mehta Dies At 46 In Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut, Smriti Irani Mourn Her Loss, Say 'Life Is Unexpected, Deeply Saddened'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/senior-journalist-payal-mehta-dies-at-46-in-mumbai-kangana-ranaut",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T05:30:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/life-is-unexpected-deeply-saddened-kangana-ranaut-smriti-irani-mourn-loss-of-senior-journalist-payal-mehta-who-dies-at-46-in-mumbai"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senior journalist Payal Mehta, 46, who worked for CNN-News18, died early Sunday morning (September 20) in Mumbai. Colleagues reported that Mehta experienced unease late Saturday night and was taken to the hospital around 2 a.m., but she had no pulse before medical intervention could begin. The sudden passing has left her colleagues, friends, and the media and political communities in deep shock. Bollywood actress and BJP Member of Parliament Kangana Ranaut expressed her sorrow, acknowledging Mehta's unwavering commitment to journalism. \"Life is so unexpected,\" Ranaut wrote, reflecting on Mehta's presence in the Parliament, always alert and dedicated. Former Union Cabinet Minister Smriti Irani also mourned Mehta's death, describing her as an affable and warm journalist known for her pointed questions. She remembered Mehta for her grace, rigor, and sharp journalistic instinct. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other Union ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Condolenced Mehta's passing, praising her hard work, connection to the ground, and kindness. Mehta's sudden demise was especially difficult for her family and loved ones, given that she had recently lost her father in August.",
  "summary": "Senior journalist Payal Mehta, 46, who worked with CNN-News18, passed away in the early hours of Sunday (September 20) in Mumbai. According to her colleagues, Mehta developed uneasiness late on Saturday night and was rushed to a hospital at around 2 a.m. However, before treatment could be administered, doctors found that she had no pulse. Journalist Payal Mehta Dies At 46, Kangana Ranaut, PM Modi…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Senior Journalist Payal Mehta Passes Away; PM Modi Expresses Deep Condolences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/senior-journalist-payal-mehta-passes-away-pm-modi-expresses-deep",
        "published": "2026-09-20T04:25:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Senior journalist Payal Mehta passes away; PM, Rahul Gandhi, CMs offer condolences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/senior-journalist-payal-mehta-passes-away-pm-rahul-gandhi-cms-offer",
        "published": "2026-09-20T06:01:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Senior journalist Payal Mehta passes away; PM Modi, Union Ministers offer condolences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/senior-journalist-payal-mehta-passes-away-pm-modi-union-ministers",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:04:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}