PANCHKULA: The SIT investigating the death of former Punjab DGP Mohammad Mustafa’s son, Aqil Akhtar, is yet to recover the diary that purportedly contains his ‘dying declaration’, and which could be crucial evidence in the case.
In a purported social media post on Oct 3, Aqil had shared a picture of the diary and written, “In case I die, this diary has my dying declaration. And I be checked for aluminium phosphide poisoning."
Police have registered an FIR for murder, naming Mustafa, his wife Razia Sultana (a former minister), their daughter and daughter-in-law (Aqil’s wife). Mustafa has dismissed the allegations and welcomed the FIR, saying it will “bring out the truth as he has nothing to hide”.
SIT members on Thursday inspected the room where Aqil’s body was found but did not find the diary. They examined Aqil’s medical recordsand records from drug rehabilitation centres, and also spoke with staff members.
A senior police officer told TOI that had earlier asked Mustafa about the diary, and he said he would hand over both the diary and Aqil’s mobile phone once he returns toPanchkula from his native place, Saharanpur, where the family has gone for his last rites.
When TOI spoke with Mustafa, he said he “has been transparent and will remain so”. He said his son wrote the same things he spoke about in the social media video. "He also wrote that he may die of a drug overdose. However, in the later pages, he has written that he loves his kids very much," shared the bereaved father.
Police said the family is expected to return to Panchkula around Oct 26. The SIT will then interview all four family members named in the FIR. The cops had earlier called them for questioning, but the family said they couldn’t because of last rites.
Aqil’s death is shrouded in mystery a week after his death. A post-mortem found an injection prick mark on his right forearm but was inconclusive on cause of death. Investigators are hoping the viscera analysis will give definite answers.