By Sagaya Fernando| 11 July 2025
Gurugram, Haryana, INDIA: In a chilling case of alleged familial resentment and patriarchal insecurity, a 51-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday July 10, 2025, for shooting dead his 25-year-old daughter, a promising state-level tennis player and owner of a tennis academy, at their residence in Sector 57’s Sushant Lok Phase-II.
The accused, Deepak Yadav, a local builder, was apprehended from the scene of the crime. Police recovered his licensed revolver used in the murder.
The victim, Radhika Yadav, was shot three times in the back around 10:30 a.m. while she was cooking in the kitchen of their three-storey home in Block-G. According to police, she died on the spot due to injuries to her vital organs.
Investigators said they are probing multiple angles behind the motive, primarily pointing to deep-seated resentment stemming from societal taunts, wounded ego, and patriarchal attitudes. A police officer privy to the case revealed that Deepak Yadav was allegedly ridiculed by villagers and acquaintances from his native Wazirabad – part of which now falls under Sector 57 – for living off his daughter’s income.
Despite the family being financially stable, with Yadav working as a builder, he reportedly objected to Radhika’s growing independence and earnings from her tennis academy, located near their residence.
“He had asked her multiple times to shut down the academy,” said ACP (Sadar) Yashwant Yadav. “Frequent arguments had taken place over the matter. On Wednesday, he shot her dead following a similar dispute.”
Police added that Deepak Yadav, in his confession, claimed he had been suffering from depression for the past two weeks, citing humiliation and wounded pride due to social criticism over his daughter’s professional success. This detail has been mentioned in the FIR.
Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, who was present in the house along with her younger son and an uncle, told police she could not give a statement due to illness and that she did not witness the incident.
Investigators are also examining other potential triggers, including a recent altercation over a social media reel posted by Radhika, which her father reportedly disapproved of. Officers have not ruled out objections to her friendships or other personal choices as possible contributing factors.
According to police, on the morning of the incident, Deepak Yadav retrieved his revolver from his bedroom on the first floor, walked into the kitchen, and opened fire on his daughter. Hearing the gunshots, Manju Yadav initially thought a pressure cooker had exploded. She rushed to the scene and found Radhika lying in a pool of blood. The victim was taken to a private hospital, where she was declared brought dead.
A case of murder has been registered at Sector-56 police station based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s uncle.
Radhika, a graduate of Scottish High International School, had cleared her Class 12 in commerce in 2018. Passionate about tennis from a young age, she had built a successful academy and was undergoing physiotherapy for a recent shoulder injury. Her spirit remained undeterred, and she continued to mentor young players.
“Radhika was known for her vibrant personality and often posted celebratory videos dancing with her father after winning tournaments,” said an investigating officer.
The victim’s body has been sent for post-mortem and will be handed over to the family on Thursday July 11. Her family has yet to issue a public statement
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