Who Was Prateek Yadav? Akhilesh Yadav’s Step-Brother Who Recently Spoke About Marital Rift

Prateek Yadav, stepbrother of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and son of late Mulayam Singh Yadav, passed away at the age of 38 in Lucknow on Wednesday morning, May 13. He was the husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav.

According to reports, he was taken to a hospital in Lucknow after his health deteriorated. However, doctors declared him brought dead on arrival. The exact cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed, and a post-mortem examination is underway.

Who Was Prateek Yadav?

Prateek Yadav was the son of Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife, Sadhana Gupta. He stayed away from politics and public life, focusing instead on business and personal ventures. He completed his education at the University of Leeds and later returned to Lucknow, where he became associated with the fitness and wellness industry.

Prateek was widely known in fitness circles in Lucknow and reportedly operated a gym named “The Fitness Planet”. He was known for his interest in bodybuilding, fitness and health.

His wife, Aparna Yadav, is currently associated with the BJP and has remained active in politics over the years. She contested the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Lucknow Cantonment on a Samajwadi Party ticket but lost. She later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2022 and was appointed vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission in 2024.

Also Read | Prateek Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Younger Son and Akhilesh Yadav’s Stepbrother, Dies at 38.

Aparna married Prateek in 2011 in a high-profile ceremony held in Saifai, Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. Prateek had earlier spoken openly about marital issues on social media. In one such post, he alleged that he was facing severe mental stress and claimed differences had emerged in his relationship with Aparna and some family members. He had also indicated that he was considering divorce.

Prateek Yadav Died at Home

A doctor at the Civil Hospital has shared details about the incident. Dr GP Gupta, director of the Civil Hospital, said that Prateek Yadav’s driver approached him at around 5:30 am and said, “Something has happened to my brother, please come home quickly.”

The doctor then sent an Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) to Prateek Yadav’s residence. According to Dr Gupta, “When our EMO reached Prateek Yadav’s house, there were no signs of life. He was then brought to the hospital, where doctors again found no signs of life. The family wanted to take the body away from the hospital, but after completing the panchnama process, it was sent for post-mortem. It appears to be a suspected poisoning case.”

The exact cause of Prateek Yadav’s death will be confirmed only after the post-mortem report is released. However, officials said the matter appears suspicious. A panel of doctors is conducting the post-mortem examination, which is being videographed.

Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh: On demise of Prateek Yadav, son of late SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, a friend of Prateek Yadav says, "Do not pay attention to these rumours that something happened at home. His health suddenly deteriorated, and it… pic.twitter.com/x0ILwBdhHP

— IANS (@ians_india) May 13, 2026

"Do not pay attention to these rumours that something happened at home. His health suddenly deteriorated, and it was a sudden death. Earlier, he used to go to the gym, but not recently. He was under business pressure. He did not have any serious illness," said a friend of Prateek Yadav.

Sources said Prateek Yadav was found unconscious in the kitchen of his house at around 4 am on Wednesday. Some injuries were also reportedly found on his body.