Aqil Akhtar Murder Case: CBI Probes Ex-DGP Mohammad Mustafa

Aqil Akhtar On October 16, 2025, Aqil Akhtar (aged 35) was found dead at his residence in Sector 4, Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula (Haryana). Initially, his family reported that the cause of death was a drug overdose.

Inside the Aqil Akhtar Mystery

The principal persons

• Mohammad Mustafa: A 1985 batch IPS officer who rose to become DGP of Punjab. In his career he received recognition (including President’s Police Medal for Gallantry) and at times headed anti-narcotics forces in Punjab.
• Razia Sultana: His wife, a former minister of Punjab (PWD) and three-time MLA from Malerkotla (a Muslim-majority district).
• Aqil Akhtar: The son, aged 35, a practising advocate. According to his father, Aqil had struggled with substance abuse and mental illness for years.

The social media video & family discord

What triggered the deeper level of investigation appears to be the video posted (and later deleted) by Aqil on 27 August 2025. In it, he purportedly:

• Claimed that members of his family were conspiring against him (false cases, threats to life).
• Alleged that his mother, sister, wife and father were all part of this plot.
• Expressed fear for his life: “I feel they will frame me in a false case … or kill me.”

The family side disputes the video’s veracity. Mustafa claims the video was posted when his son was psychotic/hallucinating; the family has previously endured episodes of violence from him (mustering domestic incidents etc).

The medical/addiction thread

Mustafa’s public statements repeatedly mention that his son was a drug addict for around 18 years, relapsed several times, had psychotic episodes, even set fire to the house once, and was violent towards family members.

The police (Haryana) have indicated that initial post-mortem did not show clear signs of foul play, but a syringe mark was found on his hand; and viscera/forensic testing is ongoing.

Why the investigation escalated

Given the status of the individuals (former DGP + ex-minister) and the serious public allegations (video claiming murder plot) plus unusual circumstances (sudden death, addiction + mental health issues + disputed narrative) the Haryana government recommended a CBI takeover.

Key issues / angles to explore

Given the complexity, here are the major fault-lines in the case:

Was it truly an accidental overdose (or suicide) or did foul play occur?

• The family’s narrative: long addiction + mental illness → overdose. Mustafa says his son’s addiction caused psychosis and violent behaviour.
• The complaint / video narrative: Aqil claimed his life was under threat from his family and that they were plotting against him. That points to criminal conspiracy.
• Forensic questions: The presence of a syringe mark, the viscera sample results pending, mobile and laptop locked – investigation still in early stage.

The credibility of the video(s) & diary

• Aqil’s video: posted August 27, deleted two hours later. Some downloaded it and it went viral. The family argues it was posted during a psychotic break.
• Aqil’s diary: reportedly found with some entries matching his accusations. But authenticity and context (mental health, coercion) would matter.
• One must ask: Was the video coerced, genuine, or manipulated? Was the diary written under duress or in lucid state? The investigation will need to validate it.

The addiction/mental health angle

• Mustafa claims the son was psychotic and addicted, had been under treatment (PGIMER Chandigarh among places) since 2007.
• If true, mental health issues complicate the narrative: a vulnerable individual making allegations, maybe hallucinations, maybe real threat. Distinguishing genuine claim vs distorted reality becomes difficult.
• The addiction/psychosis narrative can also act as a defence: “He was not in his right mind, the death was from self-harm/overdose.” On the other hand, it could also be used to dismiss his allegations because “he was psychotic, so ignored.”
• The forensic results (what drug/substance, circumstances of death, syringe mark, timeline of intake, etc) will be crucial.

Family dynamics & power/status context

• A high-profile family with a former DGP father and ex‐minister mother – this raises questions of power, public image, and potential suppression of internal disputes.
• Aqil claimed in his video that his father had an illicit relationship with his wife and that his mother/sister were part of a plot. These are explosive allegations.
• The father/police investigations must contend with the question: were family members exerting pressure, silencing him, or was his mental health the root cause?
• The fact that the initial cause of death was given as “overdose” and later the case escalated to murder indicates the shifting narrative and media/public scrutiny.

Investigative challenges

• Locked devices: Aqil’s mobile phone and laptop only recovered after some time; data integrity, chain of custody issues.
• Diary authenticity: handwriting, state of mind at time of writing, context.
• Post-mortem/forensics: Viscera/chemical tests may take months; syringe mark may point to injection, but what substance; timing issues.
• Witnesses: servants, security staff, family members questioned; their willingness to testify, possible influence due to status.
• Media/social media: Viral video gives pressure and public narrative; may influence witness/coercion.
• Legal jurisdiction: Case moved from Panchkula/Haryana police to CBI – this might make access to some local witness/who controlled scene challenging.

What the investigation must establish

For closure (either criminal prosecution or exoneration), these are the must-establish facts:

Cause of death: Was it an overdose (self-inflicted) or homicide (someone else inflicted or aided)? For this: viscera report, forensic toxicology, timeline of ingestion/injection, nature of injury (if any), autopsy details.

Timeline and last hours: What was Aqil doing just before death? Who visited, who had access to him, what substances did he consume, were there signs of violence or struggle?

Validity of the video/diary: Did Aqil record the video when lucid? Was he under duress? Does the diary reflect genuine thoughts or are they influenced by psychosis?

Role of family members/others: If the video’s allegations are true, were any family members involved in conspiracy or intimidation? If false, was he influenced by mental illness? Are family members coerced or complicit?

State of mental health, addiction history: Verified treatment records, hospitalizations, documented diagnoses of psychosis/substance abuse, previous incidents (e.g., house fire or violence) claimed by Mustafa. These help determine his capacity and the mental state at time of death.

Chain of events around the death scene: Who first saw him? Was there evidence of injection, forced intake? Who removed the device/files/computer? Was there tampering?

Motive (if foul play): If someone else involved, what was their motive? Family inheritance? Reputation? Fear of exposure (video)? If not foul play, why did the video appear, why were claims made?

Integrity of investigation: Given the high-profile nature, it’s vital the investigation is seen as impartial: that evidence is preserved, devices unlocked for forensics, all persons including family interviewed.

Broader implications

On addiction, mental health and stigma

The Aqil Akhtar murder case starkly illustrates the intersection of substance abuse, mental illness, and family dynamics within a privileged, powerful family. Aqil Akhtar, son of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa and ex-minister Razia Sultana, struggled for nearly two decades with severe drug addiction and psychosis, as admitted by his father. Mustafa revealed that Aqil’s addiction began in his school years and worsened over time, leading to repeated relapses despite numerous rehab attempts. His mental health issues later evolved into psychosis, causing him to develop delusions and hallucinations, including deeply troubling beliefs about conspiracies against him within his family.

The case highlights how elite families often handle such problems—whether openly or clandestinely—often facing challenges in balancing privacy, stigma, and the need for treatment. Aqil Akhtar’s videos, which he made during periods of mental distress, repeatedly allege family betrayal and conspiracies, including accusations of an illicit affair between his father and wife. These allegations, mentioned seven to eight times in his video recordings, reflect either a genuine cry for help during psychotic episodes or serious suppressed truths that have been ignored.

Distinguishing between a genuine plea for help and delusional accusations becomes a critical challenge for investigators, especially when mental illness may shape the individual’s perception of reality. If Aqil’s videos were recorded during psychotic episodes, it raises the difficulty of discerning fact from hallucination. On the other hand, if these allegations were true, they point to dark familial secrets and suppressed abuse. The implications impact moral, familial, and legal domains deeply, with either scenario demanding sensitivity, care, and awareness.

Aqil’s mental health struggles also manifest in repeated references to feeling threatened, being called delusional by family members, and being confined to rehab against his will despite claims of sobriety. The family’s internal conflicts, their attempts to manage addiction-related crises, and the emotional toll on all members reflect the complexities faced by high-profile families dealing with addiction and mental health.

This case thus underscores a pressing need for greater mental health awareness, particularly in high-stress, high-visibility families. It calls for understanding how addiction and mental illness may distort perceptions and exacerbate familial conflicts, emphasizing the importance of compassionate, scientifically informed approaches for intervention and justice.

In summary, the Aqil Akhtar case reveals the delicate balance between addiction, psychosis, and complex family relations. His social media videos and statements, which refer several times to his mental health and allegations, complicate the investigation but also humanize the struggles of mental illness in powerful families, demanding nuanced, transparent handling by investigators and society alike.​

On power, privilege and justice

In the Aqil Akhtar murder case, involving former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa and ex-minister Razia Sultana, the dimension of power and influence is significant. The transfer of the investigation to the CBI reflects an acknowledgment of the need for an impartial probe, given the high-profile nature of the accused. Public trust hinges on transparent and equal treatment in this case, despite the accused being a powerful family. Many question whether influential families like that of Aqil Akhtar will receive preferential treatment or face the law without bias. The CBI’s commitment to impartiality and oversight by both state and national authorities is crucial to maintaining credibility in the investigation.

Furthermore, Aqil Akhtar’s social media video allegation—claiming that his father had an illicit relationship with Aqil’s wife—raises complex moral, familial, and legal questions. If the allegations are proven true, it exposes deep betrayals and legal violations within a family of immense public stature. Conversely, if Aqil Akhtar’s claims were false or hallucinatory, it raises concerns about the damage to reputations and the consequences of potentially baseless accusations. This duality underscores the delicate balance in navigating truth, mental health, and reputational harm in such contentious cases.

Aqil Akhtar’s accusations, included in the video posted on August 27, 2025, explicitly mention this alleged illicit relationship multiple times, highlighting the tension it caused within the family. This video, which played a pivotal role in bringing the case to public attention, reiterates the issues surrounding family trust and betrayal at least seven to eight times throughout the allegations, emphasizing the intensity and seriousness of the accusations.

The CBI is investigating all angles with sensitivity, examining Aqil Akhtar’s electronic devices, social media recordings, and other forensic evidence, striving to ensure that the investigation is conducted without influence or prejudice. The case remains under close watch to uphold fairness and public confidence in the justice process.

Thus, Aqil Akhtar’s murder case is not only a legal inquiry but also a reflection on how society views power, family dynamics, and digital evidence in the modern era.​

Media, social media and “dying declarations”

In the Aqil Akhtar murder case, the availability of social media posts and videos made by Aqil Akhtar himself is extremely significant. Aqil Akhtar posted a video on August 27, 2025, accusing his father, former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa, and his wife of having an illicit affair, and alleging that his mother and sister were conspiring against him, potentially to kill him or frame him in a false case. These videos and other social media content act as a form of “digital dying declaration” in the investigation. Aqil’s social media posts preceded his mysterious death on October 16, 2025, and raised substantial suspicion, prompting a CBI probe into the role of his family members.

However, social media evidence like Aqil Akhtar’s videos brings complex challenges. Investigators must address concerns regarding the authenticity, possibility of coercion, deletion, or manipulation of digital evidence. Such evidence must be treated with as much care as physical evidence to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Besides, the viral nature of such videos can shape public opinion, amplify pressure on law enforcement agencies, and potentially influence witnesses, which further complicates the case.

Aqil Akhtar also posted a photograph of his personal diary on social media shortly before his death, declaring it to be his dying declaration, which investigators have recovered and are analyzing as part of the evidence. The diary, along with digital communications and videos, forms a crucial piece of the evidentiary chain.

The case illustrates how social media content is now an integral part of modern criminal investigations and demonstrates the dual-edged nature of digital evidence — powerful for establishing facts, yet presenting new challenges about verification and influence on the judicial process.

In summary, Aqil Akhtar’s social media posts and videos are central to the investigation, marking a shift in how digital content can serve as critical evidence in legal proceedings, especially when traditional forms of dying declarations are supplemented or replaced by video and digital records. At the same time, investigators must handle such evidence judiciously to ensure a fair and unbiased process.​​

Possible scenarios (hypotheses)

Below are plausible scenarios (not assertions) to illustrate how investigators might be thinking.

Scenario A: Genuine overdose / suicide

• Aqil had long-standing addiction + psychosis; his mental health deteriorated; he recorded the video in a distressed state (maybe hallucinating) making wild allegations; after deleting it he still felt unsafe. On October 16 he overdosed (accidentally or intentionally).
• Family, fearing scandal, initially claimed overdose, then when the video surfaced, shifted to “we were cooperating”. The allegations against them were unfounded or exaggerations by a sick person.
• Investigation might conclude no murder/conspiracy, but death by overdose; video/diary not credible as evidence of external plot.

Scenario B: Foul play / conspiracy

• Aqil genuinely believed his family were conspiring against him (maybe due to inheritance, business, reputation or drug treatment decisions). The video reflected real threats and coercion. On October 16 someone either administered injection/substance or forced overdose. The syringe mark & locked devices are part of forensic path.
• Family members or associates aided or abetted the death (intentionally or recklessly). The investigation may find evidence of tampering with phone/laptop, deletion of data, controlling of scene.
• Outcome: Charges of murder, criminal conspiracy may lead to prosecution of one or more.

Scenario C: Mixed/unresolved

• Aqil’s mental health was poor; he made vague allegations; his death was due to overdose; but maybe a family member was negligent (did not seek help, suppressed his claims) though not acting with murderous intent.
• Investigation may conclude that while no deliberate murder occurred, the family’s actions (or inactions) were culpable in other ways (negligence, failure to treat, undue pressure).
• Might lead to lesser charges (abetment, negligence) or civil claims rather than murder.

Some reflections and what one might draw from this

This case is striking for several reasons:

• It highlights how the veneer of “privileged family, powerful father” does not immunise one against personal tragedy, mental health struggles and addiction.
• It underscores that internal family disputes—even in affluent households—can become tragic when combined with substance abuse, career/political pressure and possibly suppressed grievances.
• The role of digital evidence (video, diary, social media) is growing in importance. A video posted by a son accusing his own father and wife is dramatic, and investigators must treat it with appropriate legal forensic rigour (verifying authenticity, mental state, context).
• The interplay of investigation + public scrutiny is delicate: The involvement of CBI indicates seriousness and perhaps an attempt to avoid perceptions of bias. But public expectations will be high for transparency.
• The case also raises the question of treatment and support systems for addiction and mental illness, especially in families that might be hesitant to publicly expose such issues for fear of stigma or reputational loss.