New Delhi

There is an outpouring of shock and grief at the sudden passing away of veteran bureaucrat and author Shehzad Mohammad Khan with netizens calling him a person of “utmost humility and generosity”.

He died on Sunday after a brief illness at the age of 67.

S M Khan is survived by his wife and three children.

Family sources said SM Khan's last rites will be performed on Monday in his native town Khurja in the Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh.

With his death, an era in the field of Indian Information Service and Public Relations ended, which set an example of loyalty and dedication.

Born on 15 June 1957 in Khurja S M Khan studied at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and the University of Wales in England. He joined the Indian Information Service (IIS) in 1982 and served in many important positions.

His most outstanding jobs were as the spokesperson of the Central Investigation Bureau (CBI)

and the Press Secretary to President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. He was so impressed by Dr Kalam that he wrote his memoirs Awami Sadar (Peoples’ President).

He was the face of CBI for the media during the 1989-2002 period where he communicated on important high-profile cases like the Harshad Mehta financial scandal, Bofors scandal, Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, etc.

From 2002 to 2007, SM Khan served as the Press Secretary to President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. In this role, he proved his excellence in media and public relations. He served as the official spokesperson for the president. He accompanied the President on his national and international visits.

In his book Awami Sadar he highlighted the untouched aspects of Dr. Kalam's life during and after his presidential tenure.

Khan also looked after the national television as Director General (News) of Doordarshan. He was responsible for DD covering prestigious events like the National Film Awards and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

He served as the Director of the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) and represented India at the Cannes and Berlin Film Festivals. While in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

SM Khan was elected a Trustee of the India Islamic Cultural Centre in 2014 and Vice President in 2019. He worked to promote mutual harmony and understanding in the country through this institution. He had a deep association with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

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He was a member of the AMU Court and was nominated by the President to the Executive Council of the University.