Mulayam Singh Yadav’s younger son Prateek Yadav dies at 38 in Lucknow

Lucknow woke up to shocking news on Wednesday after Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, died at the age of 38. Family members rushed him to Civil Hospital early in the morning. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police sources said relatives brought Prateek to the hospital around 6:15 am after his health suddenly worsened at home. Doctors then informed the family that he no longer showed signs of life. His wife, BJP leader Aparna Yadav, did not remain present at the hospital during the initial hours, according to officials.

Soon after the news spread, political workers, local supporters and curious residents gathered outside the hospital and the Yadav family residence in Lucknow. Several Samajwadi Party leaders also reached the spot. Security personnel increased deployment near the residence as visitors continued to arrive through the day.

Doctors at King George’s Medical University will conduct a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Medical teams, meanwhile, found no visible injury marks on the body during the preliminary examination.

Family sources said Prateek battled serious lung-related complications for a long time. He reportedly underwent treatment for a blood clot in the lungs over the past few months. According to relatives, his condition sharply declined early Wednesday morning. He stopped responding soon after, forcing the family to rush him to the hospital.

Unlike many members of the politically influential Yadav family, Prateek largely stayed away from electoral politics. While his half-brother Akhilesh Yadav emerged as the face of the Samajwadi Party, Prateek chose business and personal interests over public office.

Born to Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhna Gupta, Prateek maintained a relatively low political profile despite constant public attention around the family. Still, party workers occasionally pushed for his entry into active politics. In 2012, some Samajwadi Party members even demanded that he contest the Lok Sabha election from Azamgarh. However, the plan never moved forward.

Prateek instead built his identity in the real estate sector. He completed his MBA from Leeds University in the United Kingdom and later entered property development in Uttar Pradesh. Alongside business, he also gained attention for his fitness journey. International bodybuilding platforms once featured his physical transformation, which he linked to motivation from his father.

Residents around the Yadav family home recalled seeing Prateek maintain a disciplined routine despite health concerns in recent years. Some locals described him as approachable and deeply interested in animal welfare activities across Lucknow.

At the same time, his personal life often drew headlines. In 2017, controversy erupted after reports linked him to a luxury Lamborghini purchase worth several crores. Critics questioned the optics of such extravagance within a socialist political family. Prateek, however, defended the purchase and publicly stated that he bought the vehicle legally through loans and declared income.

His marriage with Aparna Yadav also remained under public scrutiny in recent months. The couple married in 2011 after a long relationship and later became parents to two children. Earlier this year, reports of differences between them surfaced after emotional social media posts hinted at divorce proceedings. However, neither side formally completed the process.

Prateek Yadav’s sudden death has once again brought the powerful Yadav family into public focus. Political leaders across party lines have started expressing condolences, while supporters continue to gather in Lucknow to pay their respects.