Prateek Yadav passes away in Lucknow: Akhilesh Yadav, family mourn loss

Prateek Yadav, the younger son of Samajwadi Party patriarch late Mulayam Singh Yadav and half-brother of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, passed away early Wednesday morning in the state capital. He was 38. Prateek was rushed to the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital around 5:30 am after his health suddenly deteriorated at his residence, but doctors declared him "brought dead" upon arrival.

The news has sent shockwaves through the political circles of Uttar Pradesh. Prateek, known for his passion for fitness and real estate business, was the husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav. While the family remains in a state of mourning, a post-mortem is being conducted at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) to ascertain the exact cause of death, which remains unidentified as of Wednesday afternoon.

Medical emergency at dawn

According to the Chief Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Dr. DC Pandey, a medical officer was initially dispatched to Prateek’s residence after his household staff sought urgent help. "He was brought to the hospital at approximately 5:55 am. His pulse had stopped, and his heart was no longer functioning. There were no signs of life," Dr. Pandey told reporters.

Reports suggest that Prateek’s health had been a cause for concern for several weeks. He was reportedly admitted to a private hospital on April 30 in critical condition due to complications related to a lung condition, specifically pulmonary embolism. Sources said he had returned home just a few days ago after showing slight improvement, though he had not taken a formal discharge from the private facility.

Akhilesh Yadav visits KGMU

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav reached the KGMU mortuary late Wednesday morning to oversee the formalities. Speaking to the media, a visibly emotional Akhilesh described his brother as a "good person" who was always conscious of his health.

“It is a matter of great sorrow. I have known him since childhood. He was always very focused on his physical well-being and his business. Sometimes, losses in business or financial stress can weigh heavily on a person,” Akhilesh said, hinting at the mental pressure Prateek might have been under. He added that the family would proceed according to legal requirements once the post-mortem report is out.

Aparna Yadav reaches Lucknow

Prateek’s wife, Aparna Yadav, who currently serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission, was in Assam when the news broke. She reached Lucknow by Wednesday afternoon. Her brother, Aman Singh Bisht, was seen at the post-mortem house since early morning, coordinating with authorities and family members.

Prateek and Aparna were married in 2011 and have two daughters. Despite the high-profile nature of the Yadav family, Prateek largely stayed away from active politics, choosing instead to manage his gym, ‘The Fitness Planet’, and his real estate interests.

Political programs deferred

In light of the untimely demise, both the Samajwadi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party have deferred several scheduled political programs in the state. UP BJP State President Pankaj Chaudhary and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya expressed their grief, calling the death a tragic loss for the family.

Ground-level reports indicate a heavy police presence around the KGMU mortuary and the family residence in Lucknow as supporters and local leaders began to gather. The body is expected to be handed over to the family by late evening following the completion of the autopsy, which is being conducted under videography.