Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and half-brother of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, died in Lucknow on Wednesday after being brought to Civil Hospital at around 6 am for treatment. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead. He was 38.
The Samajwadi Party condoled his death in a post on X, saying: “The passing of Prateek Yadav is deeply saddening. May God grant peace to the departed soul.” After the news, family members reached the mortuary premises, where heavy security was deployed.
His postmortem is to be carried out at the KGMU mortuary under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer. The autopsy will be led by Dr Mousami Singh, with doctors Anoop Kumar Raipuria and Dr Fatima Harsha also part of the medical panel. A team of three KGMU doctors, including forensic experts, will conduct the examination. An X-ray of the chest will be done before the procedure begins, and the postmortem will start once the panchnama documents are received. The process will be videographed.
Prateek had been unwell for some time. A few weeks ago, he was admitted to a private hospital in Lucknow, where Akhilesh Yadav visited him. After his condition improved, he was brought back home. A few months ago, Prateek shared photographs on social media showing the family holidaying together after reports of a dispute with Aparna Yadav.
He largely stayed away from active politics despite belonging to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most prominent political families. Prateek studied at the University of Leeds in the UK and was associated with real estate and fitness businesses. He ran The Fitness Planet gym in Lucknow and was also involved in animal welfare activities through Jeev Ashray, which worked on the rescue, treatment, feeding and care of stray dogs. His wife, Aparna Yadav, is associated with the BJP and serves as vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission. Aman Bisht, Aparna’s brother, reached the postmortem house along with other family members.
With the family now gathered at KGMU and the formal examination underway, the immediate focus is on the postmortem and the final rites that will follow. Prateek’s death closes a quiet public life that remained linked to the Yadav family name, even as he kept his distance from frontline politics.
