Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu dies in Giridih

Ranchi/Giridih: Jharkhand Cabinet Minister and senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Sudivya Kumar Sonu died in the early hours of Sunday after he was brought to a private hospital in Giridih with chest pain, according to the treating doctor.

Sonu, a two-time MLA from Giridih and a member of the Hemant Soren Cabinet, had been experiencing chest pain for about two hours before reaching the hospital, the doctor said.

His death triggered an outpouring of grief across Jharkhand. Chief Minister Hemant Soren described the loss as deeply personal and said Sonu was like an elder brother to him.

At the time of his death, Sonu was handling several key portfolios in the Jharkhand government, including Higher and Technical Education, Urban Development and Housing, Tourism, Art and Culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs.

What the treating doctor said

According to the treating doctor, Sonu was brought to the private hospital at around 2.15 am on Sunday.

The doctor said Sonu had been experiencing chest pain for around two hours before reaching the hospital.

He had also vomited while being taken to the hospital, the doctor said. According to the doctor, the vomit entered his lungs, causing breathing complications.

Sonu was immediately intubated and given emergency treatment.

An ECG showed signs of a heart attack, according to the treating doctor. The doctor said Sonu’s blood pressure was not recordable and he was given inotropic and vasopressor support.

His condition deteriorated rapidly and he collapsed within about 15 to 20 minutes of being brought to the hospital, the doctor said.

Doctors performed CPR and other resuscitative measures, but he could not be revived.

The treating doctor said Sonu was declared dead at around 4 am. He also said Sonu had a history of blood pressure and diabetes-related health issues.

The final hours

• Late Saturday night: Sonu began experiencing chest pain, according to the treating doctor.
• During the journey to hospital: He vomited, the doctor said.
• Around 2.15 am on Sunday: He was brought to a private hospital in Giridih.
• After arrival: Doctors intubated him and began emergency treatment.
• ECG: The treating doctor said it showed signs of a heart attack.
• Within about 15 to 20 minutes: His condition deteriorated and he collapsed, according to the doctor.
• Early Sunday morning: He was declared dead despite CPR and other resuscitation efforts. The treating doctor said this was at around 4 am.

Hemant Soren mourns an “elder brother”

Chief Minister Hemant Soren said Sonu was not merely a senior colleague or political associate but was like an elder brother who offered affection and guidance and stood firmly beside him during difficult times.

In his tribute, Soren said Sonu’s death had left a void in his life that could not be expressed in words.

He said Sonu had stood with the late Shibu Soren since the days of the Jharkhand movement and had dedicated his political life to Jharkhand’s identity, rights and self-respect.

Reflecting on the suddenness of the loss, the Chief Minister said life was fragile and that a voice present among them only a day earlier had suddenly become a memory.

Soren described Sonu’s death as both a personal loss and an irreparable loss for Jharkhand.

A two-time MLA and Cabinet minister

Sonu represented the Giridih Assembly constituency and was elected to the Jharkhand Assembly in 2019. He retained the seat in the 2024 Assembly election.

He subsequently became a member of the Hemant Soren Cabinet.

At the time of his death, he was responsible for Higher and Technical Education, Urban Development and Housing, Tourism, Art and Culture, and Sports and Youth Affairs.

His death leaves the government with the task of reallocating these ministerial responsibilities.

Active in public programmes on Saturday

Sonu had attended public programmes in Giridih on Saturday, September 5.

Reports said he participated in Teachers’ Day-related events and attended the centenary celebrations of Islamia Urdu Middle School.

The sudden deterioration in his health later that night and his death in the early hours of Sunday came as a shock to political leaders, party workers and supporters across the state.

Jharkhand mourns

The Governor of Jharkhand expressed deep grief over Sonu’s death, describing it as a painful loss for the state.

In a condolence message, the Governor said Sonu’s untimely death was deeply saddening and prayed for strength for his family members and supporters.

Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said she found the news difficult to believe and described Sonu’s sudden death as a personal loss.

She remembered him for his warm nature, personal rapport and commitment to public service.

AICC Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju also expressed grief, saying Jharkhand had lost a dedicated public servant and a sensitive leader.

Political programmes postponed

Political parties also postponed scheduled programmes following Sonu’s death.

The Jharkhand Congress announced the postponement of its Lok Bhavan march and protest scheduled for September 7, as well as a meeting on SIR scheduled for September 8.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha also postponed its planned block-level protest scheduled for September 7.

In an office order, the party said its leaders and workers were deeply shocked by the death of the senior minister.

A life in Jharkhand politics

Sonu’s death brings an abrupt end to the political career of a leader who rose through the ranks of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and went on to represent Giridih twice in the Assembly.

As a Cabinet minister, he handled several important departments spanning higher education, urban development, tourism, culture, sports and youth affairs.

His death has left the Jharkhand government facing the immediate task of redistributing his portfolios, while the JMM and leaders across the political spectrum mourn the loss of a senior colleague.

For Hemant Soren, however, the loss was also personal.

“Sonu bhaiya,” the Chief Minister said, “was like an elder brother.”