Veteran Journalist and Former Rajya Sabha MP HK Dua passes away at 88
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 4, 2026: Veteran journalist, diplomat and former parliamentarian H K Dua passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88. He breathed his last peacefully at a private hospital this afternoon, a family member confirmed. Dua had been unwell and was admitted to the hospital nearly three weeks ago.
His cremation will take place at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Thursday.
Born on July 1, 1937, Dua had a distinguished public life spanning journalism, diplomacy and parliamentary service. He served as media advisor to former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and H D Deve Gowda, and was appointed India’s Ambassador to Denmark from 2001 to 2003.
A towering figure in Indian journalism, Dua was widely respected for his editorial independence and sharp political insight.
He served as Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune from 2003 to 2009, a period during which he was credited with strengthening the newspaper’s national profile and enhancing its editorial credibility.
Over a career spanning several decades, he also held senior editorial positions at The Indian Express, The Times of India, and The Hindustan Times, leaving a lasting impact on Indian media.
In 2009, Dua was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, where he actively contributed to debates concerning media freedom and public policy. In recognition of his distinguished service to journalism, he was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2008.