Aaj Tak Journalist Aakashdeep Shukla commits suicide amid alleged mental trauma, threats
In a tragic turn of events, Aakashdeep Shukla, a journalist associated with Aaj Tak, was reported to have died by suicide on Monday.
The journalist allegedly faced considerable mental distress due to what has been described as "constant threats of criminal cases" from his wife and her parents. This disturbing revelation was brought to light by journalist and filmmaker Deepika Bhardwaj.
Based in Delhi, Aakashdeep Shukla reportedly took his own life by hanging himself at his residence in the city. Deepika Bhardwaj took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey the unfortunate news, stating that Shukla "killed himself today." According to Bhardwaj's tweet, she had conversed with Shukla, who held the position of an assistant editor with Aaj Tak since 2021, on the previous day.
Bhardwaj asserted that Shukla had been enduring mental turmoil due to alleged mistreatment by his wife and her parents. She further alleged that Shukla's court marriage had occurred under pressure and that he had been subjected to continuous threats of legal action.
During their Sunday conversation, Bhardwaj indicated that she assured Shukla they would find a resolution to the situation. Tragically, it appears that the senior journalist took his own life despite this reassurance.
"I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY," Bhardwaj conveyed in her tweet.
A close friend of Shukla, Jagrati Shukla, informed the Free Press Journal that the journalist had been under "a lot of stress due to his personal life." According to Jagrati, Shukla and his wife engaged in a heated argument on Monday morning, witnessed by another friend. Following the argument, he allegedly secluded himself in his room and took his own life.
In a subsequent tweet, Deepika Bhardwaj disclosed details of the events leading up to Shukla's alleged suicide, including allegations of physical assault. Shukla apparently confided in Bhardwaj that his wife had tarnished his reputation on social media by using derogatory language.
"Akash shared that the woman he got married to had sullied his image by calling him names on social media. He couldn't afford to lose his career so he compromised & did court marriage. Now his father-in-law was pressurising him to do a social function, spend lacs when he didn't have that kind of money," Bhardwaj's tweet outlined. "He was in deep stress clearly & was worried for his parents. He also felt he was the one who had brought this problem on to them. There's so much more he shared. He was physically assaulted too when they had fights. I am unable to comprehend this." (SIC)
I spoke to @JournoAakash for 20 mins y'day. He told me about the mental trauma he's facing because of his wife & her parents. He was under constant threats of criminal cases. His court marriage was also done under pressure. I told him we will sort it. BUT HE KILLED HIMSELF TODAY pic.twitter.com/mBL26AIDHd
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) August 14, 2023
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'Hats off to Captain Rohit Sharma': Cong's Shama Mohamed hails Champions Trophy win
New Delhi, Mar 9 (PTI): Congress leader Shama Mohamed, whose online posts fat-shaming Indian captain Rohit Sharma sparked a major row last week, hailed Sharma on Sunday for leading from the front in the Champions Trophy final and congratulated the team on their triumph in the tournament.
Sharma made an excellent half-century as a resolute India held their nerve to win an unprecedented third Champions Trophy title with a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final in Dubai.
In a post on X, Mohamed said, "Congratulations to Team India for their stupendous performance in winning the Champions Trophy 2025!"
"Hats off to Captain @ImRo45 who led from the front with a brilliant 76, setting the tone for victory. Shreyas Iyer and K L Rahul played crucial knocks, steering India to glory! A triumph to remember!" she said.
Bowling first after Rohit lost his 12th straight toss, India's spinners restricted New Zealand to 251 for seven in the allotted 50 overs, with Kuldeep Yadav (2/40) and Varun Chakaravarthy (2/45) making significant contributions with the ball.
India completed the chase of 252 with six balls to spare after Rohit (76 off 83 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (48 off 62 balls) shone with the bat.
Congress spokesperson Mohamed's posts fat-shaming Sharma had sparked a major row last Monday, riling millions of cricket fans and drawing flak from various quarters including her own party and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya who slammed them as "deeply shameful".
BJP leaders attacked Mohamed and the Congress after she targeted the Indian cricket captain, with the ruling party's social media head Amit Malviya alleging that it was a "premeditated put down to undermine the team's morale at a crucial time".
Distancing itself from Mohamed's remarks on Sharma, the Congress had asserted that Mohamed's remarks about the cricketing legend do not reflect the party's position and asked her to exercise greater caution in future.
"The Indian National Congress holds the contributions of sporting icons in the highest regard and does not endorse any statements that undermine their legacy," Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera had said.
She has been asked to delete the social media posts from X, he had said.
Mohamed had said these were her personal remarks and that an issue had been made out unnecessarily. She also said that she is proud of Sharma but was only talking about his fitness.
Congratulations to #TeamIndia for their stupendous performance in winning the #ChampionsTrophy2025! 🇮🇳🏆
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) March 9, 2025
Hats off to Captain @ImRo45 who led from the front with a brilliant 76, setting the tone for victory. @ShreyasIyer15 and @klrahul played crucial knocks, steering India to…
