Cruelty in today’s world continues to surface in the most horrifying forms. One of the most disturbing examples currently going viral is the brutal killing of 25-year-old Radhika Yadav, a former state-level tennis player, who was shot dead by her own father. To say this incident has shocked the nation would be a sheer understatement.
In a chilling incident, 25-year-old Tennis player Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her father
It sounds like a twisted plot straight out of a dark crime thriller — a father killing his own beloved daughter. But for 25-year-old Radhika Yadav, this horrifying storyline has become a heartbreaking reality. Once a promising state-level tennis player, Radhika was shot dead by her own father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Gurugram’s Sushant Lok area.
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This shocking act of violence unfolded not on a screen, but in the quiet of their family kitchen, where she was simply cooking food.
According to police reports, 49-year-old Deepak Yadav used his licensed .32 bore revolver, firing multiple bullets three of which struck Radhika in the back, killing her on the spot. The family lived together — Radhika, her parents, and her brother — in what many would call a peaceful, upper-middle-class neighborhood.
However, no one could have imagined that the home would turn into a crime scene.
Why did Deepak Yadav kill his daughter Radhika Yadav?
In a deeply disturbing case, it was Radhika Yadav’s uncle who filed an FIR against her father, Deepak Yadav, at Sector 56 Police Station in Gurugram. Soon after, Deepak was arrested for the cold-blooded murder of his daughter. She was soon rushed to the hospital by her uncle Kuldeep Yadav, where she was declared dead on arrival.
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Now the question that is bound to come to everyone’s mind is that what could possibly push a father to kill his own daughter? The reason, according to Deepak Yadav’s own confession, was a mix of humiliation, anger, and wounded pride. He told the police how his daughter opened her own academy,
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“A few days ago, my daughter was not playing because of an injury in her shoulder. She had opened her own academy. She used to give coaching to children. “
He shared how people began mocking him for living off his daughter’s money,
“When I used to go to Wazirabad to get milk in the village, people used to say that you eat the girl’s earnings. Due to which I was very upset.”
He then mentioned how people began questioning his daughter’s character which bothered him,
“People also used to point fingers at my daughter’s character. I told my daughter that you have opened a tennis academy, close it, but my daughter refused to close the academy. This tension used to remain in my mind. Which used to hurt my dignity. Due to which I was very upset and tensed. “
He concluded sharing how because of this tension he took out his licensed revolver and shot his daughter three times,
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“Due to this tension, I took out my licensed revolver, when my daughter Radhika Yadav was cooking in the kitchen. So I shot my daughter Radhika Yadav three times on her waist from behind.”
Police confirmed that the tennis academy Radhika was running had become the bone of contention. Deepak claimed he had been suffering from depression for the past 15 days due to social criticism and could no longer bear the shame.
As noted in the FIR accessed by Hindustan Times, he said he acted out of frustration and pride. Assistant Commissioner of Police Yashwant Yadav stated,
“He wanted her to shut down the academy, but she refused. He finally shot her dead over the same dispute.”
Radhika Yadav was shot three times in the waist from behind
The gruesome murder of Radhika Yadav took place at her own home around 10:30 AM on 10th July 2025, on the first floor of their residence in Gurugram. Radhika was in the kitchen, reportedly cooking, when her father, Deepak Yadav, shot her three times in the waist from behind. At the time, only Radhika, her father, and her mother, Manju Yadav, were present on the floor. Her brother was not at home.
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Hearing the gunshots, Deepak’s brother Kuldeep Yadav and his son, who were on the ground floor, rushed upstairs—only to find Radhika lying in a pool of blood. The murder weapon—a revolver—was found on a table with one live cartridge still inside. Kuldeep immediately took Radhika to Asia Maringo Hospital, but she was declared dead on arrival.
Gurugram Police responded swiftly, registering a case of murder based on Kuldeep’s complaint. Deepak Yadav has confessed to the crime and remains in custody. Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, who was present during the incident, has so far refused to give a formal statement. Meanwhile, forensic teams have collected key evidence from the scene.
Gone too soon, more about Radhika Yadav
Born on March 23, 2000, Radhika Yadav was a young athlete who eventually switched to coaching. Regardless, her career had already reached both national and international platforms, she held the 113th position in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) doubles rankings and was placed within the top 200 globally in the same category. In her home state of Haryana, she ranked fifth in women’s doubles.
Her talent, dedication, and passion for the sport had made her a promising figure in Indian tennis. But all of that potential was cut short in the most brutal and heartbreaking way—by her own father.
While police continue to investigate multiple angles, including his objection to a possible relationship or something as trivial as a social media reel, none of these can justify the tragic outcome.
The fact remains that Radhika is no longer with us, and that reality is not only painful but deeply shameful. A life full of promise was lost to senseless violence. May her soul rest in peace.
What are your thoughts on the reason given by Deepak Yadav for killing his daughter Radhika Yadav? Do you think the reasons given by him for murdering his own daughter are justified in any sense? Do share via the comments below.
