MUMBAI: Is it merit, Hobson's choice, or simply loyalty? Operating on the growth path and to strengthen its leadership team, Zee Business, an arm of Zee Media Corporation, has elevated Sudhir Chaudhary to the editor-in-chief position for Zee News, Zee Business, WION and DNA.

He will report to Zee Media group COO Rajiv Singh. Respective editorial teams will report to Chaudhary who seems to be gaining prominence faster than normal course.

After the exit of Amish Devgan, the channel was looked after by Samir Ahluwalia, who was appointed as the editor for Zee Business in May 2016 and deputy editor Mihir Bhatt.

Accused in Rs 100-crore extortion case against industrialist Naveen Jindal, Ahluwalia called it a day in Zee Media in September 2016. Several rumours had surfaced about Bhatt being elevated to the role of the channel head but he now seems to be losing favour with the senior management. The search for Zee Business’ head continued since, until this development.

Asheet Kunal has been given the interim charge of India 24x7 editor surpassing Vasindra Mishra, who earlier served as the editor of Zee Media’s national Hindi news channel. Kunal will continue reporting to Jagdeesh Chandra. The group has re-designated Mishra as the political editor for regional channels and will report to Chandra.

Chandra was recently appointed as the executive director of Zee Media' regional news channels. He also takes care of Essel Group’s newspaper DNA as the CEO.