Omar Abdullah Marries Nidhi Razdan, Veteran Journalist Who Built Her Career Covering Kashmir and Survived a Major Online Scam

New Delhi: After years of speculation about their relationship, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and veteran journalist Nidhi Razdan have finally confirmed their marriage. The two shared photographs on social media on 31 October 2026, announcing the new chapter with simple yet personal messages. While Omar wrote, “A new journey began yesterday 💍,” Nidhi responded, “It’s done bro 💍.” Their announcement has brought renewed attention to Nidhi’s remarkable journalism career, her deep connection with Kashmir and the personal journey that brought the two together.

The announcement came three months after the Supreme Court ended Omar Abdullah’s long-separated marriage to Payal Abdullah (née Nath) by mutual consent on 31 July 2026. The development marks a new beginning for one of India’s prominent political families and one of the country’s best-known television journalists.

Who Is Nidhi Razdan? Her Early Life and Family Background

Nidhi Razdan was born on 11 April 1977 in Budgam, central Kashmir. She comes from a Kashmiri Pandit family. Her father, Maharaj Krishan Razdan, served as the editor-in-chief of the Press Trust of India (PTI). Her mother’s name is Sarla Razdan, and her brother is Nitin Razdan. The family later moved to New Delhi, where Nidhi spent most of her childhood.

She attended Apeejay School in Sheikh Sarai and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. She later completed a postgraduate diploma in radio and television journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, during 1998–99.

Her Kashmiri roots and her family’s connection with journalism influenced her career choices and shaped her public identity. She later became one of the most recognised journalists covering Jammu and Kashmir.

Nidhi Razdan’s 21-Year Career at NDTV

Nidhi Razdan joined NDTV in 1999 and worked with the news organisation for 21 years. During this time, she rose to the position of executive editor and became one of the channel’s most familiar faces.

She hosted the evening debate programme Left, Right & Centre, which became closely associated with her name. She also presented The Big Fight and worked as a diplomatic correspondent.

Throughout her career, she covered several important national events and political developments. These included general and state elections, the India-US nuclear deal, the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. She also reported extensively from Jammu and Kashmir during several elections and periods of political unrest.

Apart from her television work, Nidhi produced documentaries from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Tibet and the United Kingdom following the 2005 London bombings.

In 2017, she published her book, Left, Right and Centre: The Idea of India, through Penguin Random House. The book brings together her observations on Indian politics and society. She took its title from her popular television programme.

Her journalism earned her several awards and recognitions over the years. These include:

• Teacher’s Achievement Award for Communication (Electronic Journalism) in 2011.
• Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism for her reporting from Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.
• Jammu and Kashmir state government’s award for excellence in journalism.
• News Show Host of the Year (English) at the Indian News Broadcasting Awards 2010.
• Best Anchor at the Exchange4media Awards 2011.
• International Press Institute award for her coverage of the Kathua case.

The Harvard Job Scam That Changed Her Career

In June 2020, Nidhi Razdan announced that she would leave NDTV after 21 years to join Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences as an associate professor of journalism. The announcement attracted considerable media attention.

However, in January 2021, she revealed through a Twitter post and a detailed statement that fraudsters had tricked her through a sophisticated phishing scam. They had offered her a fake academic position at Harvard University.

According to Nidhi, the fraudsters first contacted her after she received an invitation to speak at a Harvard Kennedy School event. They then conducted online interviews and sent her fake appointment letters and employment agreements. These documents carried forged signatures of actual senior Harvard officials, which made the offer appear genuine.

The fraudsters also asked her to arrange recommendation letters from her employers. During the process, they collected sensitive personal information, including her passport details, medical records and bank information. They also gained access to her devices by presenting these requests as necessary steps for visa processing and employment formalities.

Interestingly, the fraudsters never asked her for money. However, when Nidhi contacted Harvard University directly, the institution confirmed that it had never offered her the position.

She filed police complaints in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. She described the experience as devastating because she had left a 21-year career at NDTV based on documents and communications that appeared genuine.

In February 2022, she briefly returned to NDTV and hosted the primetime programme No Spin. However, she resigned again in January 2023.

Since then, she has explored independent professional opportunities. Her work has included an association with Prannoy Roy’s digital platform deKoder, along with academic and strategic roles, writing and political commentary.

Nidhi Razdan’s Personal Life Before Omar Abdullah

Nidhi Razdan married journalist, writer and radio storyteller Neelesh Misra in 2005. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 2007. The couple did not have any children.

For several years, Nidhi kept her personal life away from public attention. She continued to maintain a strong professional presence while avoiding unnecessary attention to her relationships.

Omar Abdullah’s First Marriage and His Long Legal Battle for Divorce

Omar Abdullah was born on 10 March 1970 in Rochford, Essex, England. He is the son of Farooq Abdullah and the grandson of Sheikh Abdullah, two prominent political figures associated with Jammu and Kashmir.

He married Payal Nath, the daughter of an army officer, on 1 September 1994. The two reportedly met while working at The Oberoi hotel in Delhi. They have two sons, Zahir and Zamir.

The couple separated around 2009, and Omar publicly confirmed their separation in 2011. They lived separately for several years while their legal battle continued.

In 2016, a family court rejected Omar’s divorce petition. The Delhi High Court upheld the decision in December 2023 and also ordered him to pay maintenance.

In July 2024, the Supreme Court observed that the marriage had become “dead.”

Finally, on 31 July 2026, the Supreme Court dissolved their marriage under Article 142 of the Constitution. Both parties informed the court that they had reached a mutual settlement, accepted that their marriage had broken down irretrievably and agreed to withdraw all pending cases.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal represented the position that both parties had “embraced freedom.”

Meanwhile, Omar returned as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in October 2024 after the National Conference won the Assembly elections.

Years of Relationship Rumours Before Their Marriage

Speculation about a possible relationship between Omar Abdullah and Nidhi Razdan appeared on social media and in public discussions from time to time for more than a decade.

Their social media interactions added to the curiosity. In 2020, for example, Nidhi jokingly asked Omar to shave after he came out of detention. Her presence at his swearing-in ceremony in 2024 also attracted public attention.

However, neither Omar nor Nidhi publicly confirmed their relationship until their social media announcements in October 2026.

The photographs accompanying their announcement show the couple dressed in formal and traditional outfits, smiling together in elegant settings.

Reports suggested that they held a private wedding ceremony around 30 October. They also reportedly hosted a reception at Jammu and Kashmir House on Prithviraj Road in Delhi on 31 October. The event reportedly had a limited guest list that included political leaders from different parties.

What Does Omar Abdullah and Nidhi Razdan’s Marriage Represent?

Omar Abdullah and Nidhi Razdan share a strong connection with Kashmir, although their backgrounds and professional journeys differ.

Omar comes from the influential National Conference political family and has spent years in public life and politics. Nidhi belongs to a Kashmiri Pandit family and has spent much of her journalism career reporting on Jammu and Kashmir and its political developments.

Their marriage marks a new personal chapter for both. It also brings an end to years of speculation about their relationship. For Omar, it follows a long period of separation and legal proceedings involving his first marriage. For Nidhi, it marks her second marriage.

Nidhi Razdan remains known for her sharp questions, balanced reporting and extensive field coverage. She also showed resilience after the Harvard job scam disrupted her professional life.

Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah continues to handle the political challenges of Jammu and Kashmir as its Chief Minister.

Their announcement, with simple captions and ring emojis, reflects a personal milestone in the lives of two public figures who have spent years under media attention. Their professional and personal journeys have also remained closely connected to Kashmir.

This account draws on public records, the couple’s social media announcements, court proceedings, career biographies and contemporary media reports. As more information about their marriage may emerge, the available details provide an account of their backgrounds, careers and personal journeys.