Gurugram, July 11 —Former state-level tennis player Radhika Yadav, 25, was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, in their Sushant Lok home on Thursday afternoon, police said, clarifying that the motive had nothing to do with her social media activity. The killing, initially rumoured to be linked to Radhika’s Instagram reels, stemmed instead from a simmering conflict over her independent tennis academy.
“He wanted her to shut down the academy, but she refused. He finally shot her dead over the same dispute,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Yashwant Yadav, confirming that Deepak was upset over repeated taunts from relatives and neighbours about his financial dependence on his daughter.
Deepak Yadav, 49, confessed to police that he had been depressed for nearly two weeks and felt his dignity had been irreparably damaged by public ridicule. According to the FIR registered at Sector 56 Police Station, Deepak told officers that the emotional strain pushed him over the edge.
The shooting took place in the family’s kitchen. Using his licensed .32 bore revolver, Deepak fired five bullets at Radhika, three of which struck her in the back, killing her instantly. He was arrested shortly after, based on eyewitness statements from family members.
The dispute over Radhika’s tennis academy remains the core focus of the investigation, though police are also examining other angles, including potential objections to her personal relationships or online presence. “We are reviewing her phone and social media accounts to determine if any additional motives were involved,” said an officer privy to the probe.
Meanwhile, Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, has yet to give a formal statement. According to the FIR, she has told police she was unwell and not present in the home at the time of the shooting — a detail under continued scrutiny as investigators cross-verify timelines and family accounts.
The murder of the promising athlete, who had recently founded her own tennis academy, has sparked outrage and sorrow across Gurugram. Tributes continue to pour in from the local sports community, even as her death underscores the tragic consequences of patriarchal control and societal pressure.
