Despite belonging to one of the country’s most prominent political families, Prateek Yadav largely stayed away from active politics.
He had studied at the University of Leeds, UK and was associated with real estate and fitness businesses.
Prateek also ran a gym called ‘The Fitness Planet’ in Lucknow and remained active in the fitness industry.
He was also involved in animal welfare activities through an organisation named ‘Jeev Ashray’ , which worked for the rescue, treatment, feeding and care of stray dogs.
Health Struggles Before Death
Sources added that Prateek Yadav had been unwell for some time. A few weeks ago, he was admitted to a private hospital in Lucknow , where Akhilesh Yadav had also visited him.
After his condition showed some improvement, he was brought back home. However, his health deteriorated again, leading to the tragic outcome on Wednesday morning.
Family Background: Son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sadhana Gupta
Prateek was the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav (the legendary Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister) and his second wife Sadhana Gupta.
His half-brother, Akhilesh Yadav , is the current Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
His wife, Aparna Yadav , is a BJP leader and currently the vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission.
This unique political family — with the husband in the SP and the wife in the BJP — has often made headlines.
A Few Months Ago: Dispute Rumours and Family Photographs
A few months ago, following reports of a dispute with Aparna Yadav, Prateek had shared photographs on social media showing the family holidaying together — apparently to dispel rumours of marital discord.
Those photographs now serve as a reminder of a family trying to stay together despite political differences.
Samajwadi Party’s Condolence Message
The Samajwadi Party condoled his death in a post on X (formerly Twitter) :
“The passing of Prateek Yadav is deeply saddening. May God grant peace to the departed soul.”
The party’s message was brief but respectful, acknowledging Prateek’s connection to the SP family even though he never actively participated in politics.
Postmortem Underway at KGMU Amid Tight Security
The postmortem of Prateek Yadav is being conducted at the KGMU (King George’s Medical University) mortuary under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), sources said.
According to officials, the autopsy will be led by Dr Mousami Singh , while doctors Anoop Kumar Raipuria and Dr Fatima Harsha will also be part of the medical panel. A team of three KGMU doctors , including forensic experts, will conduct the postmortem examination.
Sources said an X-ray of the chest will be carried out before the postmortem procedure begins. The examination will formally commence once the panchnama documents are received.
Officials added that the postmortem process will be videographed , and the entire procedure will be recorded as part of the documentation process.
Family Members Arrive at Mortuary
Aman Bisht , Aparna Yadav’s brother, reached the postmortem house along with other family members.
Heavy security deployment has also been made at the spot, with police personnel stationed around the mortuary premises.
The tight security reflects the high-profile nature of the family and the sensitivity of the situation.
Prateek’s Relationship with Akhilesh Yadav
Though half-brothers (different mothers), Akhilesh and Prateek reportedly shared a cordial relationship. When Prateek was hospitalized a few weeks ago, Akhilesh had visited him — a sign of family solidarity despite political differences (Akhilesh leading SP, Prateek’s wife Aparna in BJP).
Prateek’s death is a personal loss for Akhilesh, who has now lost his father (Mulayam Singh Yadav died in 2022) and his half-brother within a span of four years.
Aparna Yadav: A BJP Leader in the SP Family
Prateek’s wife Aparna Yadav is a prominent BJP leader and currently serves as the vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh Women’s Commission.
She has often been asked about her political differences with her in-laws (the SP family). Her response has consistently been that family and politics are separate.
After Prateek’s death, Aparna has lost not just her husband but also her primary connection to the SP family. How her political career and family relationships evolve remains to be seen.
The Fitness and Animal Welfare Legacy
Prateek’s two passions outside the family spotlight were fitness and animal welfare.
He ran ‘The Fitness Planet’ gym in Lucknow — a business that kept him connected to his interest in health and wellness.
His animal welfare organisation ‘Jeev Ashray’ worked for stray dogs — rescuing, treating, feeding, and caring for them. This was a quieter, less-public side of Prateek’s life, but one that mattered deeply to him.
