A tragic incident unfolded in Gurugram’s Sushant Lok area on July 10, when 49-year-old Deepak Yadav allegedly shot and killed his 25-year-old daughter, Radhika Yadav. The crime took place in their posh three-storey house, shaking the entire neighborhood.
Radhika was a promising tennis player. She had represented India at the ITF level and achieved a career-high world doubles ranking of 113.
After a shoulder injury ended her competitive career, she founded a tennis academy to train young talent. Her dedication and success had made her a respected figure in the sports community.
According to police, the shooting occurred around 10:30 am. Deepak fired five shots from his licensed revolver; three bullets hit Radhika in the back. Her mother, who was upstairs, initially mistook the sound of gunfire for a pressure cooker bursting.
Initial reports suggested that Deepak had issues with Radhika’s growing social media presence. He reportedly disliked her making Instagram reels and found her online image inappropriate.
Investigators later discovered that he was also disturbed by taunts from relatives, who said he was living off his daughter’s earnings.
Deepak is said to have felt overshadowed and insecure about his daughter’s success and independence. The resentment built up over time, possibly contributing to his violent outburst.
Police arrested Deepak at the scene and recovered the weapon used. An FIR was registered by Radhika’s uncle at the Sector 56 police station. He now faces charges under the Arms Act and other sections related to murder and women’s safety.
Radhika’s death has left her community heartbroken. Once a rising star in Indian tennis, she had dedicated her post-playing life to mentoring others.
Her murder raises disturbing questions about gender roles, family pressure, and the stigma surrounding successful, independent women.
