Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old state-level tennis player and coach, was murdered by her father, Deepak Yadav, on 10 July 2025, in Gurugram, Haryana, India. The case garnered significant media attention due to the victim's prominence in sports, and allegations of familial control and societal pressures as contributing factors. Deepak Yadav was arrested and confessed to the murder, citing disputes over Radhika’s tennis coaching and social taunts about her income. The case sparked widespread discussion on gender dynamics, domestic violence, and the challenges faced by female athletes in India.[1]
Radhika Yadav, born on 23 March 2000, was a state-level tennis player who competed in national and international tournaments, achieving a career-best ranking of 75 in the Girls Under-18 category. A shoulder injury two years prior to her death halted her competitive career, leading her to coach aspiring players by booking tennis courts across Gurugram, contrary to initial reports that she owned a tennis academy.[2]
Her father, Deepak Yadav, aged 49–54 (sources vary), had invested over ₹2.5 crore in her tennis training, a point of contention in their relationship. The family, based in Sushant Lok-2 and Sector 57, Gurugram, was financially secure through real estate ventures, including property leasing and land deals. Deepak’s son had recently entered the real estate business, adding to the family’s wealth.[3][4][5]
Incident
On 10 July 2025, at approximately 10:30 am, Radhika Yadav was shot four times in the back and waist allegedly by her father, Deepak Yadav, while cooking breakfast in their double-storey home in Sushant Lok-2, Gurugram. She was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries.[6]
The murder weapon was a licensed pistol, and Deepak confessed to the crime, reportedly telling his brother Vijay Yadav, “Maine kanya vadh kar diya hai” (I have committed kanya vadh) and expressing a desire to be hanged.[7]
Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, was on the first floor during the incident and was later cleared of involvement by police, who found no evidence of her knowledge or participation.[8]
Investigation
Deepak Yadav was arrested at the family’s residence shortly after the murder and sent to one-day police custody on 11 July 2025, followed by 14-day judicial custody on 12 July 2025.[9][10]
Gurugram police, led by officers like Inspector Vinod Kumar (Sector 56) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Yashwant, investigated multiple angles, including:[11][12]
• Tennis Coaching Dispute: Deepak objected to Radhika’s coaching activities, feeling humiliated by village taunts that he lived off her income, despite his own rental income.[12]
• Social Media and Music Video: A 2024 music video, Karwaan, featuring Radhika under LLF Records, surfaced online, prompting speculation about its role in the conflict. Police later ruled out any connection to the murder.[13]
• Relationship Rumors: Initial reports suggested Deepak disapproved of Radhika’s desire to marry outside her caste, but her family and police dismissed this, finding no evidence.[14]
• WhatsApp Chats: Conversations between Radhika and her coach, Ajay Yadav, revealed her desire to leave home and possibly move abroad due to familial restrictions, exacerbated by her shoulder injury and career shift.[12]
Police confirmed Deepak planned the murder, citing his depression over social mockery and his attempts to force Radhika to delete her social media accounts and stop coaching.[15]
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