Prateek Yadav, younger brother of Akhilesh Yadav, died in Lucknow on Wednesday morning. He was 38.
Doctors at the Civil Hospital declared him dead after he was brought to the emergency ward around 6 am. The postmortem report later cited cardiac arrest linked to pulmonary thromboembolism as the cause of death.
The development triggered reactions across political parties, while some Samajwadi Party leaders demanded an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death.
श्री प्रतीक यादव जी का निधन, अत्यंत दुखद!
ईश्वर दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति प्रदान करें।
विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!
— Samajwadi Party (@samajwadiparty) May 13, 2026
“When he was brought to the hospital, his pulse had completely dropped and the heart had stopped functioning,” Civil Hospital Chief Medical Superintendent Dr DC Pandey said.
Postmortem points to pulmonary complications
Doctors at King George’s Medical University conducted the postmortem examination.
According to the report, blood clots had formed in the lungs, severely affecting circulation and triggering cardiac arrest. Doctors preserved viscera samples and internal organs for further chemical analysis.
The report also recorded six old injury marks on the body. Doctors said three injuries appeared to be around a week old, while three were more recent.
Medical experts said Prateek Yadav had been suffering from pulmonary embolism, a serious condition in which blood clots block arteries in the lungs.
Leaders seek detailed probe
Ravidas Mehrotra described the death as suspicious and demanded a probe by a retired High Court judge.
Ajay Rai and several opposition leaders also called for a detailed investigation.
However, party leaders urged restraint until forensic and viscera reports become available.
Political leaders pay tribute
Senior leaders from across parties visited the family residence to offer condolences.
Yogi Adityanath met Aparna Yadav and expressed condolences. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna accompanied him.
उत्तर प्रदेश के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री, ‘पद्म विभूषण’, स्वर्गीय मुलायम सिंह यादव जी के पुत्र एवं उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य महिला आयोग की उपाध्यक्ष श्रीमती अपर्णा यादव जी के पति श्री प्रतीक यादव जी का आकस्मिक निधन अत्यंत दुःखद है। विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि।
मेरी संवेदनाएं शोक संतप्त परिजनों के साथ…
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) May 13, 2026
Dimple Yadav, Shivpal Yadav and several BJP and Samajwadi Party leaders also visited the residence.
Witnesses said Akhilesh Yadav appeared emotional while paying tribute to his younger brother.
Had undergone treatment recently
Sources said Prateek Yadav had been admitted to a private hospital on April 30 after his health deteriorated.
Doctors treating him said he suffered from pulmonary embolism and hypertension. He reportedly left the hospital before completing treatment.
Medical experts said pulmonary embolism can become life-threatening when blood clots obstruct lung arteries and reduce oxygen supply.
Funeral in Lucknow today
Family members said the cremation will take place on Thursday afternoon at Pipra Ghat in Lucknow.
The body was kept at the family residence for final tributes.
Background
Prateek Yadav was the son of late Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sadhana Gupta.
Educated at the University of Leeds, he stayed away from active politics and managed businesses related to fitness and real estate.
He married Aparna Yadav in 2011. The couple has two daughters.
