Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu dies of cardiac arrest at 56
Senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu died of cardiac arrest in Ranchi early Sunday, the party said. He was 56.
Kumar was admitted to a private hospital late Saturday night after his health suddenly deteriorated.
He died while undergoing treatment at around 4 am, according to party leaders.
The legislator from Giridih was serving as Jharkhand’s Minister for Higher and Technical Education and Urban Development. He also held the portfolios of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs.
JMM mourns ‘irreplaceable loss’
The JMM expressed shock and grief over Kumar’s sudden death, remembering him as a dedicated party worker and minister.
“The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha family is stunned and heart-broken by the untimely demise of Sudivya Kumar, a dedicated comrade of JMM and a Minister in Jharkhand government,” the party said in a post on X.
ज़िंदगी की क्षणभंगुरता…
— Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (@JmmJharkhand) September 6, 2026
कल तक जो साथी हमारे बीच थे, आज उनकी स्मृतियाँ ही हमारे साथ हैं। जीवन की अनिश्चितता हमें एक बार फिर गहरे दुःख और शोक में छोड़ गई है।
झारखंड मुक्ति मोर्चा के समर्पित साथी एवं झारखंड सरकार के मंत्री सुदिव्य कुमार के असामयिक निधन से पूरा झामुमो परिवार… pic.twitter.com/CqsHItNpzR
The party described his death as an “irreparable loss” for the organisation, the state government and Jharkhand.
Hemant Soren remembers ‘trusted companion’
Chief Minister Hemant Soren mourned Kumar’s death and described the loss as deeply personal.
Soren remembered his long-time associate as a trusted companion, mentor and committed soldier of the Jharkhand movement.
देर रात अपने बड़े भाई, हमारे प्रिय सुदिव्य कुमार सोनू जी के निधन का दुःखद समाचार मिला। इस खबर को स्वीकार कर पाना मेरे लिए बेहद कठिन है। सोनू भैया का जाना मेरे जीवन में ऐसी रिक्तता छोड़ गया है, जिसे शब्दों में व्यक्त करना संभव नहीं।
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) September 6, 2026
सोनू भैया मेरे लिए सिर्फ एक वरिष्ठ साथी या… pic.twitter.com/rXEyPBQULo
He said Kumar’s contribution to the state’s identity and its rights would never be forgotten.
Transport, Revenue and Land Reforms Minister Deepak Birua also expressed grief, saying Kumar’s health had deteriorated suddenly on Saturday night.
“Last night, his health suddenly deteriorated. He was taken to the hospital, where he passed away during treatment,” Birua said in a condolence message.
झारखंड सरकार के साथी मंत्री भाई सुदिव्य सोनू जी के निधन से मन मर्माहत है।
— Deepak Birua (@deepakbiruajmm) September 6, 2026
कल रात अचानक उनकी तबीयत बिगड़ी,रात में ही उन्हें अस्पताल में इलाज के दौरान उनका देहावसान हो गया।
ईश्वर उनकी आत्मा को शांति दें एवं परिवार जनों को दुःख सहने की शक्ति दें।
अश्रुपूर्ण और अंतिम जोहार भाई। pic.twitter.com/fEQnsycmy2
He prayed for peace for Kumar’s soul and strength for his family to cope with the loss.
Key JMM strategist, close Soren aide
Kumar, who was elected from the Giridih Assembly constituency in 2019, was considered a trusted aide of Hemant Soren and played an important role in the JMM during several political challenges.
He was particularly active during the political turmoil surrounding Soren’s arrest in 2024 in a land-related money laundering case.
Kumar is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
Had returned from Karnataka days before death
Just days before his death, Kumar had returned from Karnataka, where he led a Jharkhand government delegation to study tourism infrastructure and management practices.
During the visit, he met Karnataka Tourism Minister K J George to discuss potential cooperation in tourism and forest management.
The delegation also explored a possible partnership with Jungle Lodges & Resorts as a knowledge partner to improve the management and operation of tourism facilities and resorts at important destinations in Jharkhand.
Kumar’s sudden death has plunged the JMM and the Jharkhand government into mourning, with party leaders remembering him as a senior minister, strategist and committed member of the Jharkhand movement.
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