Aqeel Akhtar, 35, the son of former Punjab Director General of Police Mohammad Mustafa and former state minister Razia Sultana, was found dead at his residence in Panchkula on Thursday evening. His sudden death has shocked many across political and legal circles in Punjab and Haryana.

Aqeel was a practising lawyer at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and a father of two. Despite belonging to a prominent political family, he chose a quieter path in the legal field and had earned respect among his peers for his professionalism and dedication.

According to police officials, the cause of death is yet to be determined. His body was taken to the Civil Hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula, where a post-mortem is being conducted. DCP Srishti Gupta stated that no signs of foul play have been found so far, and the family has not raised any allegations. “We are waiting for the post-mortem report,” she said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Aqeel’s death comes as a deep personal loss to the Mustafa-Sultana family, both of whom have held influential positions in Punjab’s public and political life. His father, Mohammad Mustafa, was one of the top-ranking police officers in the state, while his mother, Razia Sultana, served as a cabinet minister.

After the initial formalities, the family took his body to Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, where the final rites were held.

As family, friends, and colleagues try to come to terms with the tragedy, many await the results of the post-mortem to understand what led to his untimely passing.