Prateek Yadav, the stepbrother of Akhilesh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, passed away in Lucknow on Wednesday morning. He was 38. His love for animals was clearly evident in his one of his pinned posts on Instagram, which read, "May life treat you the way you treat animals".
Another pinned Instagram post reflected a far more emotional side of his personality and was dedicated to his pet dog, Dulari. Sharing a heartfelt tribute, he wrote, "My eldest Beti She gave me love and taught me to love.She's the inspiration behind every good deed I do. All welfare for animals that i have done roots from the inspiration and love i got from her.She taught me parenthood. And she taught me her language, the universal language of beings, be it any being. She has made me so much more. Meri Beti - Dulari. October 1, 2007 - eternity. She left her earthly abode on January 13, 2022. Life and beyond... always with me." (sic)
ALSO READ: Prateek Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav's youngest son and BJP leader Aparna Yadav's husband, passes away
In his last Instagram post on April 3, he could be seen riding a jet, describing his experience of flying in an Extra EA-300, a high-performance aerobatic aircraft used for stunt flying and extreme aerial maneuvers. Prateek Yadav is expressing the thrill and excitement of performing intense moves in the sky and liked it to one of the scenes from 'Top Gun', the famous fighter pilot movie known for fast jets and adrenaline-filled flying scenes.
"The engine roared, the sky opened up, and I took control. 🛩️ Inside the EA 300 - pulling Gs, slicing through clouds, and rolling mid-air ✈️🔥 Felt like a scene straight out of Top Gun. Intense, fast, unforgettable. Adrenaline in its purest form," Prateek Yadav's caption on his Instagram post read.
ALSO READ: Prateek Yadav death reason
Prateek Yadav death reason
Prateek Yadav was brought to Civil Hospital around 6 am, where doctors declared him dead, according to sources. The exact cause of death has not yet been disclosed, and a post-mortem examination is being conducted and further details are awaited.
Earlier in January 2026, Prateek Yadav was in the news after an Instagram post surfaced in which he spoke about seeking a divorce from Aparna Yadav, citing personal differences and struggles with mental health. In the post, he alleged that Aparna had ruined family relationships and prioritised fame and influence over their personal life. Prateek also claimed he was going through a “very bad mental health condition” that Aparna allegedly refused to acknowledge.
However, Aparna’s brother, Aman Bisht, rejected the allegations and stated that Prateek’s Instagram account had been hacked, calling the entire post fake and denying all accusations made against Aparna. Prateek and Aparna tied the knot in 2011 in a high-profile ceremony held at the family’s ancestral village Saifai in Etawah district.
Who is Prateek Yadav?
Prateek Yadav was the son of Sadhana Gupta and the stepson of Mulayam Singh Yadav, founder of the Samajwadi Party. Although he belonged to one of Uttar Pradesh’s most influential political families, Prateek largely kept himself away from active politics. He studied at the University of Leeds and later focused on business and fitness-related ventures in Lucknow. He also operated “The Fitness Planet,” a popular gym in the city, and was widely known for his passion for health and fitness.
His wife, Aparna Yadav, however, remained actively involved in politics. She contested the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections from Lucknow Cantt as a candidate of the Samajwadi Party but lost to Rita Bahuguna Joshi. In 2022, Aparna joined the Bharatiya Janata Party and was later appointed vice-chairperson of the Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission in 2024.
