Prateek Yadav, 38, son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and stepbrother of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, died in the early hours of Wednesday in Lucknow after being brought to Civil Hospital in a critical condition.
Doctors confirmed that he was declared dead around 5:55–6:00 am, shortly after emergency treatment efforts failed. Civil Hospital authorities, including director Dr GP Gupta, stated that the exact cause of death will be determined only after a postmortem examination.
While early reports suggest he had been unwell before the incident, officials have not confirmed any specific medical reason yet.
His passing has sent shockwaves through political and social circles in Uttar Pradesh, with condolences pouring in from across party lines, including reactions from family members such as BJP leader Aparna Yadav, his wife.
Senior leaders, supporters, and acquaintances have expressed grief, describing the death as sudden and deeply distressing for the Yadav family.
Emergency Response & Statements
According to Civil Hospital director Dr GP Gupta, hospital authorities were informed around 5 am on Wednesday that Prateek Yadav’s health had deteriorated at his residence in Lucknow. A medical team was immediately dispatched to the location, where doctors found him in a critical condition.
He was quickly shifted to the Civil Hospital, where emergency treatment was initiated. Despite sustained efforts by the medical team, he was declared dead at 5:55 am. Dr Gupta reiterated that the precise cause of death cannot be confirmed at this stage and will only be established after a postmortem examination is completed.
Hospital sources indicated that Prateek was brought to the facility around 5:30 am, already in a severely unstable condition. His sudden collapse has prompted discussions among officials, but no foul play has been indicated at this stage.
Political leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, expressed condolences, calling the incident “extremely saddening” and acknowledging the loss to a prominent political family. The hospital administration has also maintained that standard medico-legal procedures are being followed to ensure clarity on the cause of death.
Mortal remains of Prateek Yadav, step-brother of Akhilesh Yadav, being taken away in a hearse van from civil hospital in Lucknow. He died under mysterious circumstances and the cause of death is yet to be ascertained. pic.twitter.com/htyc3uQGqT
— KSHITIZ KANT (@KSHITIZKANT) May 13, 2026
Who Was Prateek Yadav: Life Beyond Political Legacy
Prateek Yadav was the younger son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhna Gupta, and he largely remained away from active politics despite belonging to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential political families. Unlike several members of his extended family who pursued public office, Prateek chose to build a life in business and social initiatives.
He completed his education at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom before returning to India, where he engaged in entrepreneurial ventures. One of his notable business interests was a fitness centre in Lucknow named “Iron Core Fit,” which gained recognition in local circles for promoting health and training culture.
Alongside his business activities, Prateek was also known for his involvement in animal welfare. He ran an organisation called “Jeev Ashray,” which worked towards the rescue, treatment, feeding, and care of stray dogs, reflecting his interest in animal rights and welfare activities.
Prateek married Aparna Yadav (then Aparna Bisht) in 2011, and the couple has a daughter. In recent years, his personal life occasionally entered public discourse after he made social media posts alleging strained relationships within the family.
These posts, which surfaced earlier this year, drew attention due to claims of emotional distress and marital discord. However, there has been no official linkage between those developments and his sudden demise, and authorities have urged restraint in speculation until medical findings are confirmed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The sudden passing of Prateek Yadav is not just a moment of grief for a prominent political family but also a reminder of the deeply human realities that exist behind public identities. In times like these, when public figures are involved, there is often a rush of commentary, speculation, and narrative-building. However, such moments demand restraint, compassion, and respect for the privacy of grieving families.
While Prateek’s life was often discussed in the context of his political lineage and occasional public controversies, it is important to recognise the complexity of personal journeys that exist beyond headlines. His contributions to business and animal welfare, particularly through “Jeev Ashray,” reflect aspects of a life that extended beyond political identity. At the same time, the ongoing medical inquiry into his cause of death underscores the need to avoid premature conclusions.












