Former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa Rejects Murder Allegations, Says Son Died of Overdose

Former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa has spoken out on the death of his son, Aqil Akhtar, calling it the “greatest grief a father can bear” while denying any wrongdoing by himself or his family.

Mustafa, along with his wife and former minister Razia Sultana, daughter, and daughter-in-law, has been named in an FIR filed by Haryana Police following Aqil’s death at his Panchkula residence. The retired IPS officer said his 35-year-old son had struggled with drug addiction for nearly two decades and died from an overdose. He described the allegations against his family as a “politically motivated conspiracy” aimed at maligning him.

“There is no greater pain for a father than losing his only son… Yet, some have tried to exploit this situation for petty politics. I have no fear, for we have done nothing wrong… Have you ever heard of a father killing his own son?” Mustafa told ANI.

Son Battled Addiction for 18 Years
Mustafa detailed the emotional toll of his son’s long struggle with addiction. “My son had been a drug addict for 18 years. I got him treated at several places. I even locked him in the room for two to three days,” he said, adding that he had exhausted every effort to help Aqil recover.

Highlighting the wider context of drug abuse in Punjab, he said, “Every day, I read news of youngsters killing their families. But have you ever heard of a father, mother, daughter, or daughter-in-law being involved in such a crime? My son struggled with addiction for 18 years… I count myself among the unlucky fathers facing this unbearable situation.”

He maintained that Aqil’s death was accidental. “This is not a case of murder. It’s a tragedy, and people are trying to turn it into politics,” he said.

Claims of Political Conspiracy
Mustafa also addressed allegations by complainant Shamsuddin Chaudhary, who claimed Aqil was held hostage and recorded a video implicating his family. Mustafa dismissed the claims, saying, “He has become a pawn of a politician… I welcome the investigation and will fully cooperate. If I am guilty, I am ready to be hanged.”

He accused political forces of exploiting his family’s grief, saying, “Our family is high-profile, that’s why conspiracies are being hatched. I have spent my life in service and discipline, and I will face this too.”

Case Details and Police Action
Aqil Akhtar was found unconscious at his Sector 4, Panchkula home on October 16 and was declared dead on arrival at a hospital. Initial police inquiries found no evidence of foul play, but videos and social media posts after his death prompted further scrutiny.

Panchkula Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrishti Gupta confirmed that an FIR had been registered under sections related to murder and criminal conspiracy, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case. The FIR names Mustafa, Sultana, their daughter, and daughter-in-law as accused. Investigators will review medical, forensic, and digital evidence, including the alleged video.

“The Father Inside Me Is Buried; the Soldier Will Fight”
Mustafa, a 1985-batch IPS officer and husband of Congress leader Razia Sultana, said the allegations forced him to set aside his grief to defend himself.

“After my son’s death, we were grieving. But when allegations were made, I have buried the father inside me and will now face the accusations like a soldier,” he said.

He added, “This tragedy has awakened the soldier within me. I have been a soldier all my life. Now, I will fight back as one.”