2 min readLucknowUpdated: May 14, 2026 04:53 PM IST
Recalling his last meeting with Prateek around two months ago, Akhilesh said, “I had told him to take care of his health and expand his business.” (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)
Hours after Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late Samajwadi Party founder and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, died in Lucknow, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav hinted at possible financial and business-related stress.
Coming out of the post-mortem house at King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, Akhilesh spoke of his half-brother and said, “Aaj humare beech nahi hai bahut dukh hai. Ek bahut acha ladka, jo apne mehnat se kuch karna chahta tha, bahut dukhad hai… (It is very sad that he is no longer among us. He was a very good person who wanted to achieve something through his own hard work.”
Prateek died early Wednesday morning. He was 38. According to sources familiar with the post-mortem findings, the report, prima facie, noted that the immediate cause of death was a massive blockage in the pulmonary arteries caused by thromboembolic material.
Last Rides of Prateek Yadav in Lucknow on Thursday. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)
Recalling his last meeting with Prateek around two months ago, Akhilesh said, “I had told him to take care of his health and expand his business.”
The SP chief also spoke about the emotional impact that financial and business setbacks can have on a person: “Kabhi kabhi financial, karobar mein jo nuksan hota hai, usase kayi bar log dukhi ho jate hain (Sometimes, financial and business losses leave people deeply distressed).”
He further added, “We will pursue whatever legal course is necessary.”
Prateek is survived by his wife Aparna Yadav, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission vice-chairperson, and their two daughters.
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In November last year, Prateek had reportedly been hospitalised, though details regarding his medical condition were never made public.
His death comes nearly four years after the demise of his mother, Sadhana Gupta, in 2022.
Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world's most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. ... Read More
Last Rides of Prateek Yadav in Lucknow on Thursday. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)