New Delhi/Panchkula: Former Punjab Director General of Police (Human Rights) Mohammad Mustafa, a 1985-batch IPS officer and once a decorated anti-terror operative, has been thrust into the national spotlight – not for his service, but due to shocking allegations involving the mysterious death of his son, Aqeel Akhtar.
A man with a distinguished career in policing and a brief but high-profile foray into politics, Mustafa now faces allegations of murder and illicit relations, detailed in an FIR filed by Panchkula police based on a complaint from a close family acquaintance.
Who Is Mohammad Mustafa?
Mohammad Mustafa is a 1985 batch IPS officer who began his journey in government schools in Punjab and went on to graduate with a BA from Khalsa College, Amritsar. He later earned an LLM from Punjab University. Known for his brilliant academic record, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Exam in his first attempt.
Decorated Police Career
Throughout his career, Mustafa held critical positions in the Punjab Police, especially during the height of militancy in the 1990s. He served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in sensitive districts like Amritsar and Tarn Taran, leading operations against Khalistani terrorists and earning five gallantry awards for his service.
In 2018, he was appointed as DGP (Human Rights) in Punjab. However, his dream of becoming the full-fledged DGP of Punjab remained unfulfilled, a point of tension and controversy later in his career.
Political Turn: Close Aide of Amarinder Singh
After retirement, Mustafa entered the political landscape of Punjab, closely aligning with former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. His wife, Razia Sultana, is a senior Congress leader and has been elected MLA from Malerkotla three times, even serving as a cabinet minister.
In 2021, when Gaurav Gupta was appointed DGP of Punjab, Mustafa challenged the decision in court, claiming seniority and better service credentials, alleging malafide intent in the UPSC’s choice. The legal case remains pending.
The Shocking Allegations
Mustafa’s name is now in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. On October 16, 2025, his 33-year-old son, Aqeel Akhtar, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at his residence in the Mansa Devi Complex, Panchkula.
While the family initially attributed his death to a drug overdose, a disturbing pre-recorded video by Aqeel surfaced, in which he accused his father of having an illicit relationship with his wife, and his mother and sister of conspiring to kill him.
FIR Filed After Neighbour’s Complaint
Aqeel’s neighbour, Shamshuddin Chaudhary, who claimed to be close to the family, submitted the video to the police and filed a complaint, following which Panchkula Police registered an FIR against –
- Mohammad Mustafa (father)
- Razia Sultana (mother)
- Aqeel’s wife (daughter-in-law)
- Aqeel’s sister
The FIR includes charges of murder and criminal conspiracy, and the case is now under the scrutiny of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for an impartial and scientific probe.
Mustafa’s Reaction: “Baseless and Politically Motivated”
In response, Mohammad Mustafa dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and the complaint politically motivated. He accused the complainant of having “dirty thoughts and petty political motives,” while maintaining that he welcomed the FIR as a procedural requirement of the police.
“The direction in which the law will act will soon be revealed to everyone,” Mustafa stated, adding that his family is mourning and ready to face the investigation.
