"THE MURDER OF TENNIS PLAYER - RADHIKA YADAV - IN GURUGRAM, HARYANA"

 

The murder of Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old state-level tennis player, occurred on July 10, 2025, in Gurugram, Haryana. The case sent shockwaves across India due to the victim's profile and the chilling nature of the crime—a father killing his own daughter over social ego and her professional choices.

The Victim: Radhika Yadav

Radhika was a promising athlete who had achieved a career-best national ranking of 75 in the Girls Under-18 category.

Career: A severe shoulder injury two years prior had stalled her competitive career.

Transition: She had transitioned into coaching, booking local tennis courts in Gurugram to train young aspirants.

Aspirations: Aside from tennis, she had recently explored modeling and featured in a music video titled Karwaan (2024), indicating a desire for a career in the creative industries.

The Incident

At approximately 10:30 AM on July 10, 2025, Radhika was in the kitchen of her family’s double-story home in Sushant Lok-2, Gurugram, preparing breakfast.

Her father, Deepak Yadav, approached her and shot her four times (three times in the back and once in the waist/shoulder) using his licensed .32-bore pistol.

Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, was on the first floor at the time and rushed down after hearing what she initially thought was a pressure cooker bursting.

Radhika was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.

The Culprit: Deepak Yadav

The sole accused is her father, Deepak Yadav (49). He was a financially stable man involved in real estate and property leasing.

Motive: Deepak reportedly felt "humiliated" by comments from villagers and relatives who taunted him, claiming he was "living off his daughter’s income" from her coaching sessions. Despite having his own substantial rental income, he could not handle the perceived social stigma.

Psychological State: Family members noted he had been depressed for weeks. He was also reportedly unhappy with Radhika’s social media presence and her independent lifestyle.

Investigations & Findings

The Gurugram Police, led by Sector 56 Inspector Vinod Kumar, investigated several angles:

Financial Independence: The primary trigger was found to be the dispute over Radhika’s coaching. Deepak had repeatedly demanded she stop coaching, but she refused.

The "Honor" Angle: While initial rumors suggested an "honor killing" related to a relationship, police found no evidence of a romantic dispute.

Digital Evidence: WhatsApp chats between Radhika and her coach, Ajay Yadav, revealed her desperation to leave the house and move abroad to escape her father’s controlling behavior.

The Music Video: A music video she appeared in was investigated, but police ruled it out as a direct cause, noting it was filmed months prior with family knowledge.

Arrests & Legal Proceedings

Arrest: Deepak Yadav was arrested at the scene shortly after the crime.

Confession: He confessed immediately, reportedly telling his brother, "Maine kanya vadh kar diya hai" (I have committed the killing of a girl/daughter), and expressing a desire to be hanged for his sin.

Custody: On July 11, 2025, a Gurugram court sent him to one-day police custody, which was later extended to 14-day judicial custody on July 12.

Current Status & Aftermath

Legal Status (as of early 2026): Deepak Yadav remains in judicial custody. The police have filed a charge sheet based on the post-mortem report (which confirmed four bullet wounds), the recovery of the licensed weapon, and the accused's confession.

Social Impact: The case sparked a national debate on the "toxic patriarchy" found in affluent urban households. It highlighted how even financially independent women are often subjected to extreme familial control under the guise of "family honor."

The Family: Radhika’s brother and mother were cleared of involvement, though the family remains shattered by the dual loss of Radhika and the incarceration of Deepak.

Note: As of April 2026, the trial is ongoing in the Gurugram district court. Given the confession and forensic evidence, the prosecution is seeking a stringent sentence.

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