The Gurugram police were called to a private hospital on a Thursday morning, where they were met with a tragic discovery: 25-year-old international tennis player Radhika Yadav had died from a gunshot wound. The investigation quickly led them to her home in Sushant Lok 2, where her father, Deepak Yadav, confessed to the crime, stating, “I killed the international tennis player. I killed my daughter”.
Who Was Radhika Yadav?
Radhika was a talented athlete with a promising future. According to the Indian Tennis Association, she was ranked 75th in the under-18 age group, 53rd in women’s doubles, and 35th in women’s singles. She was also ranked 113th in the International Tennis Federation. Beyond her professional career, Radhika earned a significant income by coaching high-profile clients and maintained an active presence on social media.
The Events of the Murder
On July 10th, at approximately 10:30 a.m., while Radhika was preparing breakfast, her father shot her. The gunshots drew the attention of her uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, and her cousin, who lived on the ground floor. They found Radhika in a pool of blood and rushed her to the hospital, but she had already passed away. Police later seized Deepak Yadav’s licensed pistol and bullet casings from the scene. Radhika’s mother was also home at the time but told police she was asleep and unaware of what had occurred.
Unraveling the Motive
The police investigation points to financial and social pressure as the primary motives.
- Financial and Social Pressure: Despite being a wealthy property dealer, Deepak Yadav was reportedly bothered by taunts from his village, which suggested he was living off his daughter’s earnings. He had repeatedly asked Radhika to quit coaching, but she refused, leading to growing tension. The artcile suggests that these taunts had made Deepak restless, causing him to lose sleep and argue with his family. He even considered suicide before deciding to kill his daughter.
- Social Media and Music Video: Another possible factor under investigation is Radhika’s social media activity and her work in a music video. She had appeared in the 2024 music video “Carva” and had shared a promotional reel on Instagram. Some reports suggest that inappropriate comments on the post angered her father and led to a confrontation. However, the police do not believe this was the primary reason for the murder, though they are continuing to investigate this angle.
As the case continues, Deepak Yadav remains in police custody, he has shown no remorse for his actions.