Panchkula (Balwinder Singh): The Panchkula Police have registered a serious criminal case against former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa, his wife and former cabinet minister Razia Sultana, and several family members in connection with the suspicious death of their son, Aqeel Akhtar.
Aqeel was found dead in his residence in Panchkula on October 16, with preliminary accounts suggesting a possible drug overdose. However, new revelations and a formal police complaint have cast doubt on that narrative, prompting authorities to open an investigation under grave criminal charges.
The FIR, filed at the Mansa Devi Police Station, includes charges under Sections 103(1) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to murder and conspiracy. Named in the complaint alongside Mustafa and Sultana are Aqeel’s wife, daughter, and daughter-in-law — all accused of being part of an alleged plot that led to his death.
The investigation gained momentum after Shamsuddin, a neighbour close to the family, submitted a complaint to the Panchkula Police Commissioner. He alleged that Aqeel’s death was not accidental and that there were deeper, more troubling dynamics within the household. According to his statement, Aqeel’s wife and father were involved in an illicit relationship, and the situation was known to Razia Sultana as well. These claims have now become the basis of the ongoing police probe.
Further complicating matters is a video message reportedly recorded by Aqeel himself weeks before his death. Dated August 27, the footage shows him speaking candidly about fears for his life, claiming he was being targeted by members of his own family. He also referenced the alleged affair involving his father and wife, saying he believed a conspiracy was underway to eliminate him.
Authorities are now examining the video as potential evidence while reviewing statements and forensic reports. As of now, no arrests have been confirmed, but police officials indicated that all individuals named in the FIR are under scrutiny.
The involvement of such high-profile figures has added a layer of complexity to the case. With both Mohammad Mustafa and Razia Sultana being prominent names in Punjab’s administrative and political circles, the case has drawn widespread attention across the region.
As the investigation continues, police have assured that due process will be followed and no one will be spared if found culpable. Meanwhile, the public awaits further clarity on the case that has shaken one of Punjab’s most influential families.
