Sandeep Acharya Dies: Indian Idol Winner Found Dead At 29

Sandeep Acharya was the winner of the second season of Indian Idol and had a one-month old daughter at home, but now he has passed away at age 29 after a bout with jaundice.

Acharya had been admitted to a private hospital in Gurgaon, with reports saying that his condition had deteriorated since being admitted.

But Sandeep Acharya appeared to be finally recovering in recent days, making his death even more shocking.

“Last night, doctors said his condition was under control and he was showing signs of recovery,” his younger brother Akshay said on Sunday. “We were all hoping we’d soon take him home. But nobody knew that he would leave us forever.”

Sandeep Acharya was named the winner of the second season of the singing reality show Indian Idol in April 2006. He was also named best new Bollywood talent in the United States, and won the Sur Aradhna award for best upcoming male singer category.

His shocking death hit hard on other members of the Indian Idol family, including Sonu Nigam. The show’s judge posted on Twitter: “Sandeep Acharya died? Oh my God.. I’m so so sad. What a beautiful soul. The boy was just 29… God give his parents some strength.”

Fellow Indian Idol judge Farah Khan wrote: “It’s too sad to hear of Sandeep Acharya, winner of ‘Indian Idol 2’ and my favourite. passing away. Such a gentle boy he was. Not his time to go.”

Even former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot passed along his condolences for the local star, saying Sandeep Acharya brought fame to Rajasthan by winning Indian Idol.

Sandeep Acharya is survived by his wife and their one-month old daughter.