Gurugram Horror: Promising Tennis Coach Radhika Yadav Shot Dead by Father Amid Family Honour Row
Date: 11 July 2025
Byline: Special Correspondent – Human Rights & Sports Desk
📰 Introduction: A Life of Promise Tragically Ended
In a shocking incident that has shaken the sporting and human rights communities across India, 25-year-old tennis coach and former national-level player Radhika Yadav was allegedly shot dead by her own father at their home in Gurugram. The murder occurred on the morning of 10 July 2025, sending ripples across the nation as the tragic story of a talented woman silenced by patriarchal pressure and perceived ‘family dishonour’ came to light.
This is not just a crime story—it is a devastating reminder of the deep-rooted societal struggles still faced by independent women in India.
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Gurugram Horror: Promising Tennis Coach Radhika Yadav Shot
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🎾 Who Was Radhika Yadav? The Rising Star of Indian Tennis
Radhika Yadav was born on 23 March 2000 in Gurugram, Haryana. She was a state-level champion and had reached World No. 113 in ITF doubles rankings. Hailing from a middle-class family, her journey was marked by determination and resilience. Having trained under top coaches and competed across India, her dreams were abruptly cut short due to a shoulder injury, after which she turned to coaching.
In 2023, she established the RY Tennis Academy in Sector 57, Gurugram, and quickly rose to prominence as a mentor, empowering other young athletes—especially girls—through sport.
She was well-known in the local community and was celebrated for combining sports with education and leadership. Her Instagram following grew as she shared motivational reels, training videos, and even creative ventures like her appearance in a 2024 music video.
🕵️♀️ The Crime: Five Shots Fired at Home
At approximately 10:30 AM on 10 July, Radhika was preparing breakfast in the family kitchen. Only her mother, Manju Yadav, was on the same floor, reportedly resting. Without warning, her father, Deepak Yadav, entered the room with his licensed .32-bore revolver and fired five shots. Three of them struck Radhika—once in the neck, twice in the back.
Her uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lived on the ground floor, rushed upstairs after hearing the shots and found her lying in a pool of blood. She was taken to a nearby hospital but declared dead on arrival.
The entire episode lasted only minutes, but its impact will be felt for decades.
🧠 What Was the Motive? Investigators Uncover Deeper Tensions
Initial rumours suggested the murder was linked to Radhika’s Instagram Reels and her role in a romantic-themed music video titled Karwaan—featuring singer INAAM. However, police have since clarified that while the video may have aggravated tensions, the real issue ran deeper.
🔍 Key Motive: Financial Autonomy and Masculine Insecurity
According to Gurugram Police and sources within the investigation:
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Deepak Yadav resented his daughter’s financial independence.
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Radhika’s academy was earning ₹10–12 lakh per month through training, memberships and sponsorships.
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Locals in their native Wazirabad village allegedly mocked Deepak, saying he was surviving on his daughter’s income.
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He reportedly demanded that Radhika shut down her academy, which she firmly refused.
This toxic cocktail of social humiliation, wounded ego, and patriarchy is now believed to have triggered the cold-blooded killing.
🏚️ The Home Environment: Success, Suppression and Silence
According to neighbours and staff from the tennis academy, the Yadav household had an air of visible tension for months.
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Radhika was said to be strong-willed and passionate, often advocating for gender equality.
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Her father, once proud of her achievements, had grown distant and rigid.
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Her mother, Manju, played a neutral role and often tried to defuse arguments but never intervened forcefully.
When police arrived after the murder, Deepak Yadav surrendered calmly and confessed to the crime. “I had no choice. She defied me. Everyone was laughing at me,” he reportedly told the police.
🧾 Police Investigation: What Has Been Revealed So Far
The case is currently being investigated by Sector 56 Police Station in Gurugram. So far:
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Deepak has been formally arrested and charged with murder under IPC Section 302.
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The weapon, a licensed revolver, has been seized.
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CCTV footage, digital forensics, and financial records from the tennis academy are being analysed.
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Mobile phones, social media content, and Radhika’s video appearances are being reviewed.
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The FIR was filed by her uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who is now a key witness.
Manju Yadav has not yet given a formal statement but reportedly told officers she heard a sound "like a pressure cooker blast" from her room.
🎥 The Music Video: Viral Speculation and Public Reactions
The music video Karwaan, featuring Radhika in modern attire and romantic scenes, went viral shortly after her death. Many commentators on social media blamed conservative views and cultural shame as fuelling the crime.
However, police insist the video was not the direct trigger. The core issue, they say, was family honour and perceived loss of control over an empowered daughter.
Nevertheless, the video has become symbolic in the wider public discourse: a reminder of how women expressing themselves—online or offline—still risk patriarchal backlash.
📊 Financial Irony: The Father Was Not Dependent
Despite Deepak Yadav’s claims of humiliation, investigators found that he:
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Owned multiple commercial rental properties.
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Ran a small real-estate consultancy.
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Had personal income of ₹15–17 lakh/month, excluding his daughter’s academy.
This further exposes the crime as not a result of economic stress but male ego, hurt pride, and a cultural belief that daughters must submit.
💔 Family and Friends React: A Void That Cannot Be Filled
Radhika’s friends, students, and former colleagues held a candlelight vigil outside the tennis academy on the evening of 11 July. Messages of grief poured in:
"She was our guide. She made me believe a small girl from Haryana could play Wimbledon one day."
— A 13-year-old student at RY Academy.
“This is not just a murder—it’s the death of a dream for so many girls like her.”
— A former teammate from the Haryana Tennis Federation.
Her mother, visibly devastated, has been hospitalised under observation.
⚖️ Legal Path Ahead: What Happens Next
The legal process is expected to move swiftly due to public interest and media attention.
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Deepak Yadav is currently in judicial custody.
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A charge sheet will be filed within 14–30 days.
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Forensic reports, ballistic analysis, and mental health evaluations are pending.
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The tennis academy will temporarily be managed by senior staff and trustees, under the supervision of police.
Women’s rights groups are pushing for fast-track prosecution and gun control law review.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: When Empowered Women Become Targets
The murder of Radhika Yadav has reignited national debate on several fronts:
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Honour killings within urban, educated families.
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Women’s autonomy and economic success as perceived threats in patriarchal settings.
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The danger of licensed firearms in homes.
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The need for mental health awareness within families facing societal pressure.
From Nirbhaya to Ankita Bhandari, and now Radhika—India has witnessed how women striving for success can be dragged down by archaic notions of control and honour.
🔚 Conclusion: Justice for Radhika—A National Reckoning
As India mourns the loss of Radhika Yadav, her story serves as both a warning and a call to action. She was more than a victim—she was a symbol of rising ambition, a role model for young athletes, and an advocate for women in sport.
Her murder was not an accident, nor a crime of passion—it was the culmination of deeply rooted cultural mindsets that continue to plague modern Indian families.
The nation must not only seek justice in court but also transform in conscience