Prateek Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger son, dies at 38

Prateek Yadav, younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and brother of Akhilesh Yadav, died in Lucknow at the age of 38 after suddenly falling ill. Political leaders and supporters gathered at his residence as postmortem formalities were completed

Lucknow: Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, died at the age of 38 after suddenly falling ill in the early hours of Wednesday.

Prateek, a fitness enthusiast who led a reserved life as an entrepreneur despite belonging to a prominent political family, was declared brought dead at the civil hospital here, sources said.

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Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was among those who expressed shock over the death. Aparna Bisht Yadav, his wife, is a BJP member and is currently the vice chairperson of the State Women Commission.

“The demise of Shri Pratik Yadav Ji is extremely heartbreaking! May God grant peace to the departed soul. Humble tribute!” the Samajwadi Party said in a brief post on X.

Prateek was the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife, Sadhna Gupta. He was around 16 when the two got married.

Aman Bisht, Prateek’s brother-in-law, was at the hospital.

Some youths who were seen with the body at the civil hospital, nearly a kilometre from Prateek’s residence, said they rushed him to the hospital around 5.10 am, and he was officially declared dead around 6 am.

Civil Hospital director Dr GC Gupta told PTI that Prateek was brought dead to the facility.

“We followed the necessary SOPs, and after confirmation, we informed senior officials and police,” Dr Gupta said.

Asked about his reported remark to local media about “suspected poisoning” in the case, Dr Gupta said, “Only a postmortem would confirm the exact cause of death. So beforehand, even in case of any suspicion, it won’t be right to say anything till a postmortem is done.”

The doctor told PTI that around 5.30 am, a driver from Prateek’s residence came to the hospital seeking help. An Emergency Medical Officer visited his residence and brought him to the hospital, he said.

Asked about reports claiming that Prateek was found unconscious inside the kitchen by the EMO, Dr Gupta said, “Various things are being said, but I can’t say anything for sure.” Prateek’s wife was apparently not at home at the time and was out of state.

Scores of supporters of the Yadav family gathered outside Prateek’s Vikramaditya Marg home.

Prateek was also known to be an animal lover and supported many animal shelters.

On January 19 this year, Prateek openly accused his wife of ruining his family ties and said he would seek a divorce from her at the earliest.

In a lengthy post on his Instagram account (iamprateekyadav), the late politician’s son described Aparna Yadav as a “family destroyer” and accused her of being “self-centred” and “driven by fame and influence.” However, on January 28, he announced reconciliation with his wife.

In a video he posted on Instagram, Prateek said, “On January 19, I had a serious dispute with my wife Aparna, following which I made two posts on social media. However, the matter has now been resolved mutually after discussions, and there is no longer any dispute between us.”

He also posted a caption with the video: “Haters, go to hell.”

In another post, he shared a video with Aparna.

Later on Wednesday, Prateek’s body was shifted to the King George’s Medical University (KGMU), where a panel of doctors conducted the autopsy.

A sombre-looking Akhilesh Yadav also reached KGMU while the postmortem was underway.

After the autopsy, the body was taken from KGMU to Prateek and Aparna Yadav’s residence at 8/11 Vikramaditya Marg.

Supporters of both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party gathered outside the house as police tightened security in the area and put up barricades.

The nameplate outside the residence bore the names ‘Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav’, ‘Smt Sadhna Yadav’, ‘Prateek Yadav’, ‘Aparna Yadav’, and ‘Shine and Blush’ (the daughters).

The exterior walls of the residence were decorated with artistic motifs, including a plant-themed design and yellow footprints, carrying the writing ‘Shri Vishnupad’.

The large black iron gate with golden accents remained shut, with only close relatives and friends allowed inside.

Some women, apparently close to the family, were seen entering the residence through a side door.

Dhirendra Yadav, national secretary of the Samajwadi Shikshak Sabha, who stood outside the house, told PTI he had known Prateek for years.

“I still can’t believe that someone as fit as him has passed away so suddenly,” he said.

Around 2.15 pm, Aparna Yadav reached the Vikramaditya Marg residence directly from the airport, and barely a minute later, an ambulance carrying Prateek Yadav’s body also arrived at the house.

A battery of mediapersons and posse of police were stationed outside the house.

Inside were close family members and select leaders associated with both the BJP and the Samajwadi Party.

Around 2.20 pm, senior SP leader and Prateek Yadav’s uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav and other family members from Saifai also arrived.

Congress leader Aradhna Mishra ‘Mona’ and Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal were also at the house.