Chandigarh: Former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Mohammad Mustafa has dismissed all accusations made against him and his family regarding the death of his son, calling the claims “entirely unfounded and politically motivated.”
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Mustafa said he had no objection to the registration of an FIR against him and his wife, former minister Razia Sultana, stating that the investigation would ultimately “bring the real facts to light.”
The case, filed in Panchkula, Haryana, pertains to the death of their 35-year-old son Aqeel Akhtar, who was found dead at the family’s residence on October 16. Police have also named Akhtar’s wife and sister in the complaint.
The family had initially attributed Akhtar’s death to a suspected drug overdose, later performing his burial in their ancestral village Harda Kheri.
Mustafa Cites Son’s Long Battle with Mental Illness
Responding to media questions about a video allegedly recorded by his late son, Mustafa revealed that Aqeel had been battling severe mental health issues for nearly two decades, alongside drug dependency.
“He had been suffering for about 18 years and was under treatment,” Mustafa said, adding that Aqeel often displayed violent behavior due to his condition.
The former DGP shared painful recollections, stating that in 2008, Aqeel had accidentally injured his mother during an episode of aggression, an incident the family chose not to disclose at the time.
“We didn’t want to make our private struggles public because of our position in society,” he said. “But the time has come for the truth to emerge.”
He further noted that his son’s August 27 video, in which Aqeel made serious allegations against his family, was deleted within hours but later circulated by others “with malicious intent.”
Family Denies Wrongdoing, Welcomes SIT Probe
Mustafa said he and his wife would fully cooperate with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) now handling the case. He expressed confidence that the investigation would disprove the allegations being spread online and in certain political circles.
He also rejected the complaint lodged by one Shamsuddin, a resident of Malerkotla, calling it “false and defamatory.”
“Certain individuals are exploiting a personal tragedy to malign my image and destroy my public standing,” he alleged.
Mohammad Mustafa emphasized that the post-mortem of his son was conducted at his own request, and the report is awaited.
Allegations Surface from Son’s Video
In the controversial video, which resurfaced after Aqeel’s death, the deceased accused his family members of conspiring against him. He claimed they repeatedly dismissed his concerns as hallucinations and suggested he was being manipulated.
“I fear they might trap me in false cases or harm me,” Aqeel said in the recording.
Mustafa, however, described the statements as a result of his son’s fragile mental state, asserting that the family had been struggling privately with his deteriorating health for years.
The former top cop concluded by reiterating his faith in the judicial process, saying that the truth would prevail once the probe was complete.
“I’ve served this nation with integrity,” Mustafa said. “I have nothing to hide and nothing to fear.”
