Sandeep Acharya, who won the second season of Indian Idol in the year 2006 passed away at a Gurgaon Hospital. He was twenty nine. He was suffering from jaundice for almost a fortnight; apparently this young singer neglected his health. Sandeep just got married last year and is survived by his wife and a one-month-old daughter.

Sandeep was critical and had to be admitted to a local hospital in Bikaner. When Sandeep failed to show progress, he was shifted to Gurgaon, which is where he breathed his last at about 9AM on December 15, 2013. His last rites were performed at his hometown in Bikaner on December 16, 2013.

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

Sandeep had received his Indian Idol 2 trophy from the very talented Sonu Nigam and the news of Acharya’s demise hasn’t sunk in as yet for Sonu.

Born on February 4, 1984, he was science graduate and the youngest in the family of two sisters and a brother. He had also won the best Bollywood talent award at an event in New Jersey.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Acharya on December 16, 2013 at Chokhuti cremation ground in Bikaner town.

Apart from winning the second season of Indian Idol, Sandeep had also won the Sur Aradhna Award in Delhi. Some of the celebrities who knew Sandeep thanks to Indian Idol took on to Twitter to offer condolences.

Sonu Nigam was the first one who wrote, “Sandeep Acharya died? Oh my God!His Wikipedia has been modified fifteen minutes back. Anyone knows how? I’m so so sad.” Minutes later when he got to know the details he wrote, “Jaundice? Gosh. Very sad. The boy was just 29 this year. Oh God, is only about deaths I feel. God give his parents strength.”

Shreya Ghoshal too was shocked and she wrote, “Just heard about Indian Idol Sandeep Acharya. Shocked. Too young, and a wonderful guy. I still hope this news is untrue.”

Dr. CP Joshi wrote, “Shocking that we lost a young singing talent, Indian Idol 2 winner Sandeep Acharya, loss for music lovers. May his soul RIP”

Director Farah Khan who was one of the judges during India Idol 2 wrote, “Its too sad to hear of Sandeep Acharya, winner of Indian Idol 2 and my favorite, passing away. Such a gentle boy he was. Not his time to go.”

Music Director Salim Merchant, “Shocked to hear about Sandeep Acharya’s demise. Have met him several times. May his soul RIP. Prayers.”

Toshi Sabri, “Shocked to hear about Sandeep Acharya. Deeply saddened. RIP.”

Singer Shweta Pandit, “How did Sandeep Acharya pass away like this at 29?!! Just met him recently in Jaipur. Was a sweet and humble person. RIP.”

Neha Bhasin, “I didn’t know Sandeep Acharya but my heart’s saddened by his young death. He was blessed with a baby a month back and now he is gone and too soon.”

Mini Mathur, who hosted Indian Idol wrote, “What a sad, premature goodbye to a talented, ambitious, happy boy. RIP Sandeep Acharya.”

We just hope that God gives Sandeep’s family all the strength to survive this emotional crisis.