A deeply disturbing family drama has gripped Punjab as the Haryana Police have registered a case in connection with the death of Aqil Akhtar, the 35-year-old son of former Punjab Director General of Police (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, and his wife, former minister Razia Sultana. The couple’s son was found unconscious at his residence in Panchkula and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Initially, the police suspected no foul play, but a subsequent complaint filed by a resident of Malerkotla, citing a social media post by Aqil from August, has drastically altered the course of the investigation.
The allegations, detailed in an FIR, are severe. Aqil reportedly claimed to have discovered an illicit relationship between his father and his wife. Furthermore, he alleged that his mother and sister were conspiring to either kill him or frame him in a false case. These serious claims were brought to light through a social media post and a diary screenshot shared with the authorities, prompting an FIR under sections related to murder and criminal conspiracy.
Former DGP Denies Allegations, Cites Son’s Struggles
In response to the allegations, Mohammad Mustafa has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating that an FIR does not equate to guilt and welcoming a thorough investigation. He described his son, Aqil, as someone who was not ‘mentally stable’ and struggled with drug addiction, having been admitted to rehabilitation centers multiple times. Mustafa also suggested that Aqil had posted a contradicting video in October and alleged that the FIR was politically motivated.
Mustafa further elaborated on his son’s personal struggles, noting that Aqil had completed his law degree but his addiction had escalated. He mentioned a past incident in 2008 where Aqil consumed acid, affecting his organs, and more recently, his alleged use of hard drugs like ‘ice.’ The former DGP also indicated that Aqil’s erratic behavior had led to multiple police interventions over the years.
Special Investigation Team Formed to Probe the Case
To ensure a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the complex allegations, the Haryana Police have established a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT). This team will examine all evidence, including Aqil’s videos, digital records, call logs, and the post-mortem report, with the objective of uncovering the truth and ensuring justice.
The complainant, Shamshudeen Chaudhary, who was formerly associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal and later joined the Aam Aadmi Party, has urged authorities to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the serious claims made.
Mohammad Mustafa retired from the Punjab Police in 2021 and subsequently joined the Congress party. Aqil’s mother, Razia Sultana, is a three-time MLA from Malerkotla.
(With inputs from Brijender Gaur)