Former Punjab Top Cop and Minister Wife Face Murder Charges
The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken a significant step in a high-profile case involving former Punjab Director General of Police Mohammad Mustafa and his wife Razia Sultana, who previously served as a minister in the state government. The agency has officially registered a First Information Report against the couple and two other family members for murder and criminal conspiracy.
The case centers around the tragic death of their 35-year-old son, Aqil Akhtar, whose body was discovered at his residence in Panchkula's Sector 4 on October 16, 2025. The CBI filed the FIR on November 6, 2025, marking a dramatic turn in the investigation that has captured national attention.
Suspicious Circumstances and Family Allegations
According to official statements from the CBI spokesperson, Aqil Akhtar died under circumstances that immediately raised red flags among investigators. The case took an even more complex turn when a video surfaced online that Akhtar had posted on August 27, 2025.
In this disturbing social media recording, the deceased made serious allegations against his immediate family members. He specifically claimed that his mother, sister, and other relatives were actively conspiring against him - either to end his life or to frame him in fabricated criminal cases.
The initial police complaint that triggered the investigation came from Shamshuddin Chaudhary, who identified himself as a neighbor of the Mustafa family from Malerkotla, Punjab. Chaudhary filed his complaint with the Mansa Devi Complex police station in Panchkula on October 20, 2025, where he explicitly expressed doubts about the nature of Akhtar's death and suggested possible foul play.
Investigation Timeline and Medical Findings
The sequence of events following Akhtar's death reveals a rapidly evolving investigation:
- October 16: Aqil Akhtar found dead at his Panchkula residence
- October 20: First FIR registered at local police station
- October 22: Haryana government transfers case to CBI
- November 6: CBI files formal murder and conspiracy charges
Early medical reports pointed toward a possible overdose of medicines as the cause of death. Following the completion of autopsy procedures, Akhtar's final rites were conducted at his ancestral village of Harda Kheri in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh.
The case took another unexpected twist when a second video emerged where Akhtar appeared to retract his earlier allegations. In this subsequent recording, he attributed his previous statements to suffering from schizophrenia and described himself as being blessed with a good family.
Legal Charges and Family Response
The CBI has invoked serious sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 against the accused family members. The specific charges include:
- Section 103(1): Murder
- Section 61: Criminal conspiracy
Besides the former DGP and his minister wife, the agency has also named Akhtar's wife and sister in the FIR. This development represents a remarkable fall from grace for Mustafa, who once held the highest police position in Punjab, and his wife Razia Sultana, who served as the Public Works Department minister in the state government.
In his defense, Mustafa has publicly stated that his son had been struggling with drug addiction since 2007 and had developed severe mental health issues, which he described as turning psychotic. The former police chief has consistently denied all allegations against himself and his family members.
The Haryana Police had initially formed a Special Investigation Team headed by ACP Vikram Nehra to probe the case before it was escalated to the central investigating agency. The CBI's involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
As the investigation continues, this case has raised numerous questions about family dynamics, mental health considerations, and the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of a young man from a prominent political family.
