Toufique Imroz Khalidi, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of bdnews24.com, has passed away while undergoing treatment in London. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. He breathed his last at a London hospital on Friday (October 2) evening Bangladesh time. He was 59 years old at the time of his death.
Earlier, he was admitted to a London hospital on Thursday night due to a brain hemorrhage. He later died while undergoing treatment. Several journalists responsible for bdnews24.com have confirmed his death.
Toufique Imrose Khalidi was a well-known face in the country’s journalism and media arena. He had been serving as the publisher and editor-in-chief of bdnews24.com, which he owned, since 2006.
Before joining bdnews, he worked as a journalist in a broadsheet newspaper in the country. Later, he worked as a presenter, producer and editor at the BBC in the UK. He has also received training in media and journalism in various places including Dhaka and London.
Khalidi had extensive experience in all three media—broadcast, print, and digital—journalism. He worked in a variety of fields, including business, politics, economics, development, and international affairs.
Toufique Imrose Khalidi received a special award at the National Information and Communication Technology Award in 2017. He was given the award at a ceremony held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center on December 12 of that year in recognition of his contribution to Digital Bangladesh. The then Speaker of the National Parliament, Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, presented him with a commemorative plaque.
Toufique Imrose Khalidi also played a significant role in the development of online journalism in the country. Under his leadership, bdnews launched its journey in a new format under the name bdnews24.com under new management in 2006. Later, the organization became one of the most well-known online media platforms in the country.
His death has cast a shadow of mourning over the country’s journalism and media scene. However, details about the post-death formalities, funeral and burial were not immediately available.