Lucknow, May 15 -- The mortal remains of Prateek Yadav, stepbrother of Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav and husband of BJP leader Aparna Yadav, were consigned to flames at the Baikunth Dham cremation ground here on Thursday afternoon amid an outpouring of grief from family, political leaders and supporters.

Prateek Yadav, aged 38, passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering from a lung-related illness. His last rites were performed more than 24 hours after his death. His father-in-law Arvind Singh Bisht lit the funeral pyre. Akhilesh Yadav placed wood on the pyre and paid his final respects. Prateek's two daughters also participated in the rituals by offering wood.

The funeral procession drew thousands of mourners ...