Punjab ex-DGP, wife booked over son’s overdose death

Punjab ex-DGP, wife booked over son’s overdose death

Mohd Mustafa and his wife, Razia Sultana, allege a political motive behind the police complaint regarding their son’s death and have expressed their willingness to fully cooperate with the investigation.

Former Punjab DGP and Wife Booked Over Son’s Death; Family Alleges Political Motive

Punjab/Haryana: In a shocking development, the Haryana Police has registered a case against former Punjab Director General of Police, Mohammad Mustafa, and his wife, Razia Sultana, a former minister, for allegedly murdering their son, Aqil Akhtar, 35. The official statement on Tuesday also confirmed that Akhtar’s wife and sister have been booked, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case thoroughly.

The allegations have sent ripples through the region, given the high-profile background of the family. Mohammad Mustafa is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and four-time recipient of the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry, while Razia Sultana is a seasoned Congress leader and three-time MLA from Malerkotla, the only Muslim-majority district in Punjab.

Mustafa Denies Allegations

Speaking publicly about the allegations, Mustafa strongly denied any wrongdoing by him or his family. He painted a harrowing picture of the personal struggles his family faced over the past 18 years, describing his son Aqil as having battled drug addiction and severe mental health issues.

“My son was a drug addict for the past 18 years. He turned psychotic and developed severe mental illness,” Mustafa said, defending the family amid the legal storm. He further stated that Aqil had passed away after reportedly injecting buprenorphine in overdose, according to the initial police investigation.

The former DGP recounted years of trying to help his son recover, including seeking treatment at PGIMER Chandigarh, one of the country’s premier medical institutes. “For 18 years since 2007, we were constantly getting him treated for addiction, but he would relapse. He even once set our house on fire,” Mustafa said, highlighting the long-standing personal and familial challenges they faced.

Family Alleges Political Motivation

Both Mustafa and Sultana have suggested that the police complaint may have a political angle. In statements to the media, they insisted they are fully prepared to cooperate with the investigation, but raised concerns that the case may have been influenced by political considerations given Sultana’s history as a former MLA and the family’s prominence in Punjab’s political landscape.

Observers note that such high-profile cases involving prominent public figures often become intertwined with political narratives, and family members’ claims of external influence are not uncommon. However, the SIT has been tasked to conduct a neutral and thorough investigation, including forensic examinations, interviews with witnesses, and analysis of medical records to determine the exact circumstances of Aqil Akhtar’s death.

Broader Context

This case draws attention not only because of the political and administrative stature of the family but also because of the broader issues it raises regarding mental health and substance abuse in India. Long-term addiction can devastate families emotionally, financially, and socially. Experts say that while families often strive to provide treatment and support, relapses are common, and tragic outcomes like overdoses are a harsh reality.

“The tragic death of Aqil Akhtar highlights the need for stronger mental health support and addiction rehabilitation systems,” said a mental health advocate, requesting anonymity. “Even well-resourced families struggle to manage long-term addiction, and it’s vital to approach such cases with compassion and care, alongside proper legal scrutiny.”

Next Steps

As of now, Haryana Police are continuing their investigation. The formation of an SIT indicates the seriousness and sensitivity of the case. The team is expected to submit a preliminary report within weeks, which will guide further legal proceedings.

Both Mustafa and Sultana have publicly expressed confidence in their cooperation with authorities, asserting that the truth will emerge through the SIT investigation. Meanwhile, public attention remains focused on the case, reflecting broader societal concerns around family dynamics, addiction, and political influence in high-profile legal matters.

While the nation watches, one thing is clear: the death of Aqil Akhtar has left a family grappling with immense personal tragedy, and a legal and political storm is unfolding over questions of accountability, motive, and the painful intersection of public prominence with private grief.