Siasat's Zaheeruddin dies in friend Gaddar's cortege

HYDERABAD: Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, managing editor of The Siasat Daily, died after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while he was in the funeral procession of the balladeer Gaddar, said to be his close friend for several years, here on Monday.

Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, a 62-year-old veteran journalist, with over four decades in the profession, is survived by his wife and two sons. The death has shocked the media fraternity.

He reportedly suffered a massive stroke and collapsed in the procession. Many people tried to revive him and rushed him to a nearby private hospital, where he succumbed.

Prayers will be held at Fazr (5.30 am) on Tuesday at the Public Garden mosque and body will be laid to rest at Akhirat Manzil, Aghapura, near Darussalam.

Khan had accompanied the final journey of Gaddar from LB stadium. Gaddar was closely associated with the Siasat management and used to frequent its office. They has participated in several agitations against human rights violations.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, expressing grief at the sudden demise, recalled the role played by the senior journalist during the Telangana agitation.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, while expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, said that, in his death, Urdu journalism has lost an icon.

TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy said Khan’s death was a huge loss to Telangana.