Vinod Mehta, a popular columnist, author and editor known for his acerbic wit, irreverence and in the past two decades for launching and editing the newsmagazine Outlook, passed away on Sunday after a bout with illness. He was 73.
He died of multi-organ failure, AIIMS spokesperson Amit Gupta said.
Mr. Mehta had launched successful publications including The Sunday Observer, The Independent and The Pioneer, apart from authoring the biographies of actress Meena Kumari and politican Sanjay Gandhi. His 17-year stint with Outlook was his longest and most influential.
In 2010, he published the Radia tapes story in Outlook magazine, that gripped the country with its revelations of impropriety among the government, media and corporate elite. Two years later he was promoted to a largely ceremonial role of editorial chairman of Outlook group. Last November, his second volume of memoirs 'Editor Unplugged: Media, Magnates, Netas and Me', was published.
This interview, in which he talks about his book and his tenure as an editor, was probably his last.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences.
Frank & direct in his opinions, Vinod Mehta will be remembered as a fine journalist & writer. Condolences to his family on his demise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2015
Other journalists also tweeted about Mehta's death.
Here's the picture I'd like to remember Vinod Mehta by. pic.twitter.com/WovQLq0xyl
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) March 8, 2015
In an age of Pygmy editors who won't stand up to be counted, Vinod Mehta was exceptional. The old school of Mumbai editors. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) March 8, 2015
'Outlook' editorial chairman Vinod Mehta's corner-office, which he occupied for 19 years, on the day of his demise. pic.twitter.com/1docmgBkpk
— churumuri (@churumuri) March 8, 2015