Jammu Jottings Founder Subash Mehra Consigned to Flames; Five-Decade Journalistic Legacy Honoured

Gypsy Correspondent

• Shri Subash Mehra, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Jammu Jottings Newspaper, passed away at Batra ASSCOMS Hospital after a prolonged illness, concluding a distinguished five-decade career in journalism; his mortal remains were consigned to flames at Jogi Gate Crematorium.
• Mehra, who first published the Urdu newspaper Ghulami Ko Door Karobefore launching Jammu Jottings as one of J&K’s first colour English news magazines in the early 90s, is survived by his sons Rohit Mehra, Mohit Mehra, daughter Sheetal Mehra, and grandchildren.
• King C. Bharati, First Executive Editor and a close friend, expressed profound grief and confidence that Managing Editor Mohit Mehrawill realize his father’s dream for Jammu Jottings to become J&K’s top newspaper, praising Mohit’s investigative journalism.

Jammu, December 24, 2025: The journalistic fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir today observed deep mourning as Shri Subash Mehra, the revered Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Jammu Jottings Newspaper, passed away. His death occurred last night at Batra ASSCOMS Hospital after a prolonged illness, marking the end of a remarkable and impactful career spanning over five decades. His passing represents an immense and irreparable loss to the world of journalism. Hundreds of people assembled at Jogi Gate Crematorium today to pay their last respects, where his mortal remains were consigned to flames.

Shri Subash Mehra was a unique personality whose journey in journalism commenced long before the 90s, with him publishing and editing the Urdu newspaper Ghulami Ko Door Karo. His visionary spirit truly manifested in the early 1990s when he founded Jammu Jottings as one of the first-ever colour English news magazines in Jammu and Kashmir. This pioneering venture, under his astute leadership, subsequently evolved into a weekly publication, eventually transforming into the daily colour broadsheet newspaper that it is today. His foresight and dedication not only broke new ground but also set a high standard for quality journalism in the region.

King C. Bharati, the renowned journalist and artist of J&K, who shared a long and deep association with Shri Subash Mehra, Jammu Jottings, and the Mehra family since the 90s, expressed profound grief and a deep sense of personal loss. King C. Bharati, who served as the First Executive Editor of Jammu Jottings and was instrumental in launching the news magazine, recalled his close friendship with the late Editor-in-Chief. King C. Bharati stated, “The passing of Subash Ji is received with immense sorrow. He was not just a colleague but a very dear friend and a true visionary. His keen insights and personal touch will always be deeply missed, not only in the crucial process of news gathering but also in the personal bonding that defined our association.”

Shri Subash Mehra is survived by his two sons, Rohit Mehra and Mohit Mehra, his daughter Sheetal Mehra, and a loving circle of grandchildren. His legacy of fearless and dedicated journalism is now powerfully carried forward by his son, Mohit Mehra, the Managing Editor of Jammu Jottings. King C. Bharati, who has known Mohit Mehra since childhood, expressed unwavering confidence in his abilities. King C. Bharati affirmed, “Mohit possesses the vision and dedication to realize the dream Subash Ji envisioned for Jammu Jottings. I am confident that under his leadership, Jammu Jottings will emerge as the topmost newspaper of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Mohit Mehra assumed the role of Managing Editor of the newspaper very early in his career. He has since handled the publication with exceptional efficiency. His reputation as a well-known investigative journalist has grown steadily, with him delivering “scoops after scoops” that have, at times, “rattled the powers that be.” This fearless approach has allowed Mohit Mehra to carve a distinct niche for himself in the field of journalism.

King C. Bharati offered his full and unwavering support to Mohit Mehra in running Jammu Jottings, pledging his assistance to ensure the publication continues to thrive and honour its founder’s legacy. He also offered his sincerest prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Shri Subash Mehra, acknowledging that his absence would be profoundly felt across the journalistic landscape.