A former Punjab Director General of Police, Mohammad Mustafa, and his wife, Razia Sultana, a former minister and three-time MLA, are currently under investigation by Haryana Police. They have been booked in connection with the alleged murder of their 35-year-old son, Aqil Akhtar. The investigation follows disturbing details revealed in the First Information Report (FIR), which includes allegations of illicit relations between Aqil’s father and his wife, as well as claims of conspiracy by his mother and sister.
Meet the Couple: A Political and Policing Legacy
Mohammad Mustafa, a retired 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was known for his resolute “my way or highway” attitude during his tenure as DGP (human rights) in Punjab. He joined the Congress party after retiring in 2021.
His wife, Razia Sultana, is a seasoned politician who represented Malerkotla in the Punjab Assembly for three terms (2002, 2007, and 2017). She served as a minister in the previous Congress government.
Mustafa’s career aspirations for the top police post were reportedly hampered when Capt Amarinder Singh became Chief Minister in 2017, appointing a different officer as DGP.
In 2022, Mustafa faced controversy for making provocative remarks during a public speech, allegedly threatening political rivals and identifying himself as a “community soldier”.
The Shocking Details Unveiled
The case took a serious turn when Haryana Police booked Mustafa, Sultana, Aqil’s wife, and sister on Tuesday. Aqil Akhtar was discovered unconscious at his residence in Panchkula on October 16 and was later declared dead at the Civil Hospital.
Initially, the police found no immediate suspicion of foul play after recording the family’s statements. Aqil is survived by his wife and two young children, a son aged five and a daughter aged seven.
However, a complaint filed by Shamshudeen Chaudhary of Malerkotla on October 17 brought new allegations to light. Chaudhary cited a social media post by Aqil from August, in which he reportedly expressed fears for his life and made serious accusations against his family. A screenshot of a diary was also provided to the police, prompting demands for a thorough investigation.
Based on these social media posts and the diary entry, an FIR was registered at the Mansa Devi Complex police station under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Allegations of Familial Betrayal
The FIR details Aqil’s alleged discovery of “illicit relations between his father and his wife.” Furthermore, it claims Aqil alleged that his mother and sister were involved in a conspiracy to either kill him or frame him in a false case. Chaudhary stated that Aqil’s untimely death seemed to corroborate these claims.
Responding to the FIR, Mustafa stated that the registration of a case does not imply guilt and that the investigation will now commence. He expressed confidence that the truth would emerge soon and warned that those who filed the FIR based on false allegations would face legal consequences.
Mustafa also indicated that Aqil had a history of drug abuse, having been admitted to rehabilitation centers multiple times. He mentioned that Aqil’s addiction worsened over time, despite completing his law degree. The former DGP recalled an incident in 2008 where Aqil reportedly consumed acid, and in the year prior to his death, had moved to harder drugs like “ice.” Mustafa added that his son’s erratic behavior had led the family to call the police on several occasions over the years.