Malay Mukherjee, who worked closely with Lakshmi Niwas Mittal in the Indian steel magnet’s journey to build the world’s largest steel empire, died on Saturday night after a brief illness following Covid-19 related complications.

He was 74, and is survived by wife Uma, son Mohan and two grandchildren.

Born in Asansol on January 26, 1948, Mukherjee went to St Patrick school in the steel town before graduating from IIT, Kharagpur. He later earned a masters degree from the then USSR’s State Commission in Moscow.

Before joining Mittal, Mukherjee had stints with Eastern Coalfield, IISCO and SAIL. He joined Mittal’s then Ispat International in London in 1993. For the next more than one-and half decade, he worked closely with Mittal.

During his stint with the Mittals, he held various posts before rising to the board of directors at ArcelorMittal. Post retirement from ArcelorMittal, he took up the role of CEO of Essar Steel Global and joined the board of JSW Steel.

Mukherjee began his career with Eastern Coalfield Ltd before joining IISCO, Burnpur. He quickly rose within the ranks of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) to become the youngest executive director in the history of Bhilai Steel Plant, the crown jewel of the company.

He quit public sector SAIL and joined Mittal’s then Ispat International in London in 1993. For the next more than one-and half decade, he worked closely with Mittal who acquired steel assets across the globe to create the world's largest steel empire.

During his stint with Mittals, he held various posts before rising to the board of directors at ArcelorMittal and worked in various geographies. Post retirement from ArcelorMittal, he took up the role of CEO of Essar Steel Global and joined the board of India’s foremost steelmaker JSW Steel.

Paying tribute to ‘Malayda’ Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW Group, wrote on Twitter: “Malay Mukherjee was an outstanding steel industry veteran. His global experience, technological expertise and eye for details in project management made his inputs very valuable at JSW Steel. We will miss his warmth, directness and experience. Rest in peace, Malayda!”

Milan Mukherjee, noted lawyer and Malay’s younger brother, said the unexpected turn of events shook up everyone in the family. “He got the delta variant and within days his condition worsened. He died last night, so we took the first flight to Delhi this morning. The cremation happened this afternoon,” Mukherjee said.