Razia Sultana, a former Congress minister from Punjab, has been thrust into the national spotlight following the mysterious death of her 34-year-old son, Aqil Akhtar, in Panchkula on October 16. A three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Malerkotla, Sultana held important positions in the previous state government, including serving as the Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation in Captain Amarinder Singh’s cabinet. She resigned from her ministerial role in September 2021 in solidarity with Navjot Singh Sidhu but continued to serve as an MLA until she lost her seat in the 2022 elections to the Aam Aadmi Party's Mohammad Jamil ur Rahman.
Born in Malerkotla, Sultana is married to Mohammad Mustafa, a retired 1985-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who served as the Director General of Police (DGP) for Human Rights in Punjab. The couple has been active in public life for decades, with Sultana also having served as the Chairperson of the Punjab Waqf Board and as a Parliamentary Secretary in the Punjab government.
The tragic incident has garnered widespread attention due to the serious allegations that have surfaced. Aqil Akhtar was found unconscious at the family’s residence in Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula, and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. Initially, the cause of death was suspected to be a drug overdose. However, the case took a dramatic turn after a family acquaintance, Shamsuddin Chaudhary, came forward with a video recorded by Aqil before his death, in which he (Aqil) accused his father and his wife of having an illicit affair and claimed that he feared for his life due to threats from his family members including mother Razia Sultana and his sister.
In the video, Aqil expressed concerns about being framed in a false case and mentioned that he felt his family intended to have him falsely imprisoned or even killed. These allegations prompted the Haryana Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the BNS against Razia Sultana, her husband Mohammad Mustafa, their daughter, and Aqil’s wife.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case is focusing on several key aspects. A crucial piece of evidence is a diary that Aqil reportedly posted on social media on October 3, stating it contained his final words and indicated possible aluminium phosphide poisoning. However, the diary has not been located during the investigation, raising concerns about its whereabouts and authenticity. Authorities are actively searching for the missing diary, which could provide vital information regarding Aqil's state of mind and the events leading up to his death.
The SIT formed by the Haryana government continues to examine all aspects of the case, including digital evidence, call records, and the possible involvement of other family members or associates.
Further complicating the situation, Aqil's father, Mohammad Mustafa, has claimed that his son had been battling drug addiction for the past 18 years. Mustafa stated that they had sent him to rehab and tried all possible ways in an attempt to help him overcome his addiction.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Government has recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, citing the ex-DGP’s influential circle.