Former Punjab Director General of Police Mohammad Mustafa addressed public allegations following the suspicious death of his 35-year-old son, Aqeel Akhtar. A complaint was filed by Shamsuddin Chaudhary with the Panchkula Police Commissioner, alleging that Aqeel was murdered by his father, his mother (former Punjab Cabinet Minister Razia Sultana), his sister, and his wife Zainab. The complaint cited an August 27, 2025 video posted online by Aqeel in which he accused his family of conspiring to kill him and having illicit relationships. Mohammad Mustafa denied all accusations, stating that Aqeel suffered from an 18-year substance addiction that escalated in early 2024 after using hard drugs ('ice'), leading to severe drug-induced schizophrenia and persecutory psychosis. Mustafa highlighted that Aqeel recorded a subsequent video 40 days later retracting his claims and praising his family. Mustafa confirmed he requested a formal post-mortem examination to avoid exhumation controversies and expressed full willingness to cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established by the police.
Country: India
State/Province: Punjab, India
City/Region: Malerkotla
Incident Type: Family Homicide
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: 8 years
Incident Date: None
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8 years
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English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Crime Tak - India · Original language: Hindi
Punjab के पूर्व DGP ने पहली बार ऑन कैमरा बताया बेटे के Drugs Addiction की डराने वाली कहानी
Domestic Violence
The case involves severe domestic conflict driven by chronic substance addiction and severe drug-induced psychiatric illness. Aqeel Akhtar suffered from long-standing drug abuse that progressed to hard drugs, resulting in persecutory delusions where he accused his family of plotting his murder and engaging in improper romantic attachments. Following his sudden death, a third party filed a murder complaint based on video claims, while the father maintained that the accusations were false manifestations of psychotic paranoia.
Following Aqeel Akhtar's death, Shamsuddin Chaudhary filed a written complaint with the Panchkula Police Commissioner requesting a murder investigation based on Aqeel's online video allegations. Police registered an FIR based on a portion of the complaint and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). Former DGP Mohammad Mustafa welcomed the SIT investigation, noted that he insisted on a formal post-mortem examination to prevent future legal disputes or exhumation, and offered full cooperation to law enforcement.
The primary investigative conflict stems from opposing explanations for Aqeel Akhtar's death and video statements. Complainant Shamsuddin Chaudhary alleged foul play and family murder conspiracy based on Aqeel's August 27 video allegations. Conversely, Mohammad Mustafa stated that Aqeel suffered from schizophrenia and psychotic delusions brought on by synthetic drugs, pointing to a October 8 retraction video where Aqeel praised his family and acknowledged his erratic condition.
Aqeel Akhtar struggled with drug addiction starting around 2007, interspersed with periods of stability and law studies. In early 2024, his addiction escalated after consuming synthetic drugs ('ice'), causing severe persecutory delusions and psychosis. On August 27, 2025, during an acute state, Aqeel uploaded a 19-minute video alleging that his family members were conspiring against his life and engaging in illicit conduct. On October 8, 2025, he recorded a 3-minute video retracting these accusations. Following his death shortly thereafter, a formal post-mortem was performed, and police registered an FIR upon receiving a formal third-party complaint.
Risk factors included long-term severe substance abuse, transition to highly neurotoxic synthetic drugs ('ice'), severe paranoid delusions, prior aggressive outbursts toward police and family, and the public broadcasting of persecutory claims online. These elements generated significant domestic distress, legal exposure, and eventual investigative escalation following the victim's death.
Severe drug addiction combined with unmanaged psychotic disorders can generate severe paranoid delusions and domestic conflict. Public video disclosures recorded during psychotic episodes create significant post-incident legal and investigative complications, requiring thorough objective forensic, psychiatric, and documentary verification by law enforcement.
An 18-year trajectory of drug abuse starting in 2007, an escalation to hard synthetic drugs ('ice') in early 2024, intense persecutory paranoia accusing immediate family of poisoning and conspiracy, violent outbursts, and public social media video disclosures served as major early warning signs.
Key investigative clues included a 19-minute video recorded on August 27, 2025, detailing allegations against family members, a subsequent 3-minute retraction video recorded on October 8, 2025, hospital and rehabilitation records from PGI and Patiala centers, call logs with medical staff, and forensic post-mortem findings.
The strongest physical and documentary evidence includes the forensic post-mortem report, official medical prescription and admission records from PGI and 'Peace of Mind Hospital', communication logs with Patiala rehabilitation center staff, and digital video recordings uploaded by the victim.
Mohammad Mustafa stated on camera that his son was a psychotic patient suffering from drug-induced schizophrenia who made false accusations under delusional paranoia. Family members supported getting a post-mortem done to ensure complete transparency. Complainant Shamsuddin Chaudhary asserted in his written submission that Aqeel's video raised genuine suspicions of foul play that warranted a murder inquiry.
Initial public attention focused on viral video accusations alleging murder plots and domestic illicit conduct. Subsequent detailed disclosures by the family provided medical context regarding Aqeel's long-term addiction treatment, psychiatric diagnoses, rehab admissions, and the existence of a secondary video where he praised his family and recanted his earlier statements.
The precise medical cause of Aqeel Akhtar's death, the final findings of the post-mortem report, and the ultimate legal conclusions of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) remain pending.