MUMBAI: Leading Hindi news channel Aaj Tak has lost a key member of its journalistic team. Aaj Tak deputy news director Ajay Chaudhary died yesterday following a fatal road accident near Ajmer, in the western Indian state of Rajasthan.

Chaudhary is widely credited with being one of the key persons responsible for Aaj Tak's present success. With his inimitable work ethics and broadcasting expertise, he was responsible for the innovative content and unique programming on the channel, a company release says.

Commenting on the demise of Chaudhary, India Today group editor-in-chief, Aroon Purie said: "Ajay was an integral part of the Aaj Tak family right from the beginning when it started on Doordarshan in I995. 'Dada', as he was known in the office, will be greatly missed by all his colleagues. We will miss his cheerful disposition, his willingness to take on new challenges, his superb command of the language and his broadcasting skills."