Gurugram, India – In a heartbreaking and deeply unsettling incident, 25-year-old national tennis player Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her father at their home in Sushant Lok Phase 2. Details surrounding the case continue to emerge, painting a grim picture of familial tension, social stigma, and unresolved anger that ultimately led to a deadly confrontation.
Shocking Incident in a Quiet Neighborhood
Residents of Gurugram’s sector-57 were stunned after learning about the tragic killing on what seemed like an ordinary Wednesday morning. Around 10 a.m., loud gunshots pierced the calm of Sushant Lok. Moments later, Radhika Yadav, a national-level tennis athlete and founder of a local tennis academy, lay in her kitchen bleeding from bullet wounds.
Police confirmed that her father, Deepak Yadav, fired five shots at her, three of which struck her. She was rushed by relatives to Asia Maringo Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Timeline of Events
Here’s how the tragic morning unfolded, based on eyewitness accounts and police reports:
- 10:00 AM – Deepak Yadav allegedly shot Radhika inside their home.
- 10:05 AM – The accused’s brother, who lives on the ground floor, heard gunfire and rushed upstairs.
- Shortly After – Radhika was transported to a nearby hospital where doctors pronounced her dead.
- Later That Day – Police detained and questioned Deepak Yadav, who confessed to the crime during the initial investigation.
Official Statements Shed Light on the Motive
According to the Gurugram Police, Deepak Yadav cited deep personal shame and social pressure as his reasons for the crime. He was reportedly upset over his daughter’s decision to run a tennis academy – a venture she pursued after enduring a debilitating shoulder injury that ended her playing career.
“He said that whenever he visited his native village in Wazirabad, people used to taunt him,” a senior police official said. “They often remarked that he was surviving off his daughter’s success. This hurt his pride. He asked her to shut the academy multiple times, and when she refused, he snapped.”
“Around 10 am, I heard a loud sound and when I went to the first floor, I saw my niece lying in the kitchen and the gun in the drawing room,” said the accused’s brother in his statement. “My son and I took her to Asia Maringo Hospital, where the doctors declared her dead.”
Investigators confirmed that a .32 bore revolver, legally owned by Deepak Yadav, was recovered from the scene and has been seized for forensic analysis.
Community Response and Public Outcry
The local community, and much of India’s sporting circle, is reeling from the disturbing loss. Radhika wasn’t just a rising star, she was also a mentor and a passionate advocate for girls in sports. Her tennis academy had rapidly gained popularity in the region, offering affordable coaching to young athletes who dreamed of playing professionally.
Many locals described her as modest, hardworking, and fiercely independent. “She always encouraged other girls to stand on their own feet,” said one neighbor. “It’s tragic… she was doing something good, something meaningful. And her own father couldn’t allow that.”
Across social media, grief poured in. Fellow players and citizens condemned the act and demanded justice. The predominant feeling shared by many was that a promising life had been lost due to toxic pride and patriarchal pressure.
A Look at Radhika’s Career
Radhika Yadav wasn’t new to headlines. She had already represented India in numerous national-level tennis competitions, earning accolades and building a name for herself in the sport. After injuring her shoulder, she pivoted from competition to coaching, establishing her own tennis academy in Gurugram out of pure grit.
“She used that injury as fuel,” said a fellow athlete who trained with Radhika. “Most would have given up. She just… found another way to keep going.”
Her commitment to empowering young athletes, especially girls, stood out. Her academy had become a safe space where sports and ambition blended.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
Police officials have confirmed that Deepak Yadav is in custody and will be charged with murder. While the case appears straightforward, investigators are still piecing together the full picture. They are speaking with neighbors, students from the academy, and other family members to gain insight into the family’s dynamic.
Authorities also plan to trace the history of the weapon and review prior complaints or warning signs within the household, if any existed. The investigation is ongoing.
The legal team handling the case has acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter, both due to its domestic nature and the prominent status of the victim.
A Stark Reminder
Radhika’s death is more than just another crime story. It exposes several undercurrents – the thorny relationship between gender roles, personal pride, and societal expectations. The notion that a father could not accept his daughter’s financial success challenges deep-rooted values that, sadly, still linger.
For many families, pride is sacred. And for some, when that pride feels bruised by shifting roles or public whisperings, the results can turn violent. It is jarring – and terrifying – that the very person who is supposed to provide protection can become the one who takes it all away.
This isn’t just about one family. This is about every household struggling under the weight of expectation and control. It’s a wake-up call, in many ways. Perhaps not everyone will see it that way. But after today, many of us will think twice before dismissing someone’s frustrations as harmless.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic tension or needs help, reach out to local mental health professionals or support organizations. Seeking help is not weakness – it’s courage.
Remembering Radhika
- Age: 25
- Profession: National-level Tennis Player & Coach
- Notable Achievements: Multiple national tennis championships
- Passion: Mentoring young athletes through her tennis academy
As the investigation proceeds, the tennis courts she once paced now stand still, a haunting reflection of dreams cut short. For those who trained under her, Radhika was more than a coach – she was a reminder that ambition could shine through adversity. And now, perhaps, a reminder that even ambition can feel threatening inside the wrong walls.
