Citing Ex-Punjab DGP's 'Influence,' Haryana Seeks CBI Probe into Son's Mysterious Death

The Haryana government has requested the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the mysterious death of Aqil Akhtar, son of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa and ex-Punjab minister Razia Sultana. The 35-year-old was found dead at the family's Panchkula residence on October 16, triggering a complex investigation involving serious allegations from both sides.

Request for Independent Investigation

State authorities have written to the Centre specifically citing the "significant political and bureaucratic influence of the accused" as a primary reason for seeking CBI involvement. Officials expressed concerns that the family's prominent positions could affect perceptions about the investigation's objectivity and independence. 

"Considering the sensitivity of the allegations and the need for public confidence, the investigation should be carried out by an independent central agency," said a senior government official. This is on grounds that high-profile cases need exceptional steps to retain credibility.

The government also pointed out the technical complexity of the case, indicating it entails "examination of digital forensic evidence, social media content, call detail records and potential links across multiple state jurisdictions." These high-tech investigative needs infer the case is outside ordinary local police capabilities. 

The Criminal Complaint 

On a complaint filed by Shamshudeen Chaudhary, a resident of Malerkotla, Panchkula police on October 20 filed an FIR against Mustafa, his wife Razia Sultana, his daughter, and Aqil's wife. The charges include Section 103(1) (murder) and Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Chaudhary's complaint referenced a video Aqil posted on social media on August 27, wherein he made serious allegations against his father and wife, claiming to have discovered "illicit relations between the two." In the video, Aqil reportedly stated his entire family, including his mother and sister, were conspiring either to kill him or implicate him in false cases.

"He clearly expressed his apprehension that his life was in danger and that he might be killed by them," the complaint stated. Chaudhary argued that Aqil's subsequent death "confirmed his apprehensions," calling it "clearly a case of foul play."

Family's Counter-Narrative

Former DGP Mustafa has presented a starkly different version of events, stating his son had struggled with drug addiction for 18 years. He suggested Aqil might have died from a drug overdose, noting his son "often became violent due to his illness." "His condition worsened to the point where he didn't understand what he was saying or doing," Mustafa told reporters Wednesday, describing years of mental suffering the family endured. Regarding the explosive video, he confirmed Aqil posted it on August 27 but deleted it just two hours later.

"Some people downloaded it and are now misusing it to malign the family," Mustafa claimed, suggesting the allegations stemmed from his son's impaired mental state rather than genuine threats.

Complex Investigation Challenges

The deleted social media video, which some individuals preserved and are now circulating, creates questions about Aqil's mental state and the credibility of his allegations. Was he expressing genuine fears, or were his accusations products of addiction-related paranoia?

Digital forensics will most certainly play an important role in determining the sequence of events, interpersonal communication patterns of family members, and authenticity of evidence. Multiple state jurisdictions make it more involved, as investigators need to track movements and communications within Punjab and Haryana.

These key posts introduce further complexity. Mustafa was the Punjab chief of police, and Razia Sultana had ministerial roles, providing both with strong networks in government and police. The CBI ruling on taking the case or not will have a major bearing on how the case goes forward and if the public feels justice is being served fairly.