Ex-Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa Breaks Silence on Son’s Death, Calls FIR a Political Conspiracy
The controversy surrounding the death of Aqeel Akhtar, son of former Punjab Director General of Police Mohammad Mustafa, has taken a new turn. Mustafa has come forward with serious allegations of a political conspiracy targeting his family, adding new layers to an already complex case.
In a candid interview with NDTV, the ex-DGP dismissed the murder allegations, questioning the credibility of the complainant, Shamsuddin, who had filed the FIR.
“Right now I am at my village. But my house is in an isolated place and I have no neighbours. How is he my neighbour then?” Mustafa asked, adding that Shamsuddin was “the personal assistant of an MLA ,” not a neighbour as claimed.
He recalled meeting Shamsuddin only once in 2019 when the latter sought help in a bank fraud case.
“He came for help. But I never help anyone do the wrong thing. That’s why I fight with the entire world... How can he claim I tortured my child?” he said.
Mustafa suggested that his family was being targeted for political reasons, stating,
“I knew we were so-called high-profile individuals. I also know the dirty deeds that our rivals can do and the extent to which they can go.”
Aqeel was found unconscious at his Panchkula home last week and declared dead at a hospital shortly after. The family initially cited a suspected drug overdose, but the narrative changed when social media videos and posts surfaced, leading Shamsuddin to file a complaint.
An FIR under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was lodged against Mustafa, his wife and former minister Razia Sultana , their daughter, and daughter-in-law.
Mustafa, however, maintained that an FIR doesn’t prove guilt.
“The registration of an FIR absolutely does not mean that someone’s guilt has been proven. The real investigation will begin now, and in a few days, the truth will come out before the public,” he asserted.
Opening up about Aqeel’s troubled past, Mustafa revealed that his son had long battled drug addiction and aggression.
“My son used to study in one of the best schools in the country... He started with weed and ganja, fell into bad company, and became very aggressive,” he said.
Mustafa recounted several disturbing incidents — including times when Aqeel allegedly assaulted his wife, set his father’s room on fire, and injured their cook.
“He was high on something. That day too we reported it to the police. He was deep into drugs,” Mustafa added.
Despite everything, he said he could never abandon his son.
“In two hours the policeman in me died and I became a father again. I brought him back home as everyone was crying,” he said emotionally.
Before his death, Aqeel had recorded several videos accusing his family of abuse and conspiracy. One video even claimed his father had an affair with his wife. However, another clip released later showed him retracting those statements.
“I was suffering from schizophrenia... I was unwell, so I did not understand anything. I am better now. I want to say sorry. Thank God I am blessed with such a family,” Aqeel said in the second video.
He later reversed his stance again, accusing his family of plotting against him deepening the confusion around his mental state.
Mustafa said he anticipated controversy and insisted on a postmortem examination, even though his family initially objected.
“People don’t like postmortem, especially among Muslims. Even my family objected to it. But I told them my son’s video was viral and people took advantage, so I will get it done,” he said.
The preliminary report indicated a suspected drug overdose, with injection marks on both arms. Forensic tests are underway.
“The truth will come out,” Mustafa concluded, maintaining that his family is being framed by political rivals.
As investigations continue, the case of Aqeel Akhtar’s death remains tangled in layers of family conflict, mental health struggles, and alleged political vendettas keeping Punjab’s political and police circles on edge.
In a candid interview with NDTV, the ex-DGP dismissed the murder allegations, questioning the credibility of the complainant, Shamsuddin, who had filed the FIR.
“Right now I am at my village. But my house is in an isolated place and I have no neighbours. How is he my neighbour then?” Mustafa asked, adding that Shamsuddin was “the personal assistant of an MLA ,” not a neighbour as claimed.
He recalled meeting Shamsuddin only once in 2019 when the latter sought help in a bank fraud case.
“He came for help. But I never help anyone do the wrong thing. That’s why I fight with the entire world... How can he claim I tortured my child?” he said.
Mustafa suggested that his family was being targeted for political reasons, stating,
“I knew we were so-called high-profile individuals. I also know the dirty deeds that our rivals can do and the extent to which they can go.”
From Overdose to FIR: How the Case Escalated
Aqeel was found unconscious at his Panchkula home last week and declared dead at a hospital shortly after. The family initially cited a suspected drug overdose, but the narrative changed when social media videos and posts surfaced, leading Shamsuddin to file a complaint.
An FIR under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was lodged against Mustafa, his wife and former minister Razia Sultana , their daughter, and daughter-in-law.
Mustafa, however, maintained that an FIR doesn’t prove guilt.
“The registration of an FIR absolutely does not mean that someone’s guilt has been proven. The real investigation will begin now, and in a few days, the truth will come out before the public,” he asserted.
“My Son Was Violent and Struggling with Drugs”
Opening up about Aqeel’s troubled past, Mustafa revealed that his son had long battled drug addiction and aggression.
“My son used to study in one of the best schools in the country... He started with weed and ganja, fell into bad company, and became very aggressive,” he said.
Mustafa recounted several disturbing incidents — including times when Aqeel allegedly assaulted his wife, set his father’s room on fire, and injured their cook.
“He was high on something. That day too we reported it to the police. He was deep into drugs,” Mustafa added.
Despite everything, he said he could never abandon his son.
“In two hours the policeman in me died and I became a father again. I brought him back home as everyone was crying,” he said emotionally.
Viral Videos and Mental Health Struggles
Before his death, Aqeel had recorded several videos accusing his family of abuse and conspiracy. One video even claimed his father had an affair with his wife. However, another clip released later showed him retracting those statements.
“I was suffering from schizophrenia... I was unwell, so I did not understand anything. I am better now. I want to say sorry. Thank God I am blessed with such a family,” Aqeel said in the second video.
He later reversed his stance again, accusing his family of plotting against him deepening the confusion around his mental state.
Postmortem Ordered Despite Objections
Mustafa said he anticipated controversy and insisted on a postmortem examination, even though his family initially objected.
“People don’t like postmortem, especially among Muslims. Even my family objected to it. But I told them my son’s video was viral and people took advantage, so I will get it done,” he said.
The preliminary report indicated a suspected drug overdose, with injection marks on both arms. Forensic tests are underway.
“The truth will come out,” Mustafa concluded, maintaining that his family is being framed by political rivals.
As investigations continue, the case of Aqeel Akhtar’s death remains tangled in layers of family conflict, mental health struggles, and alleged political vendettas keeping Punjab’s political and police circles on edge.
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