Gurugram: In a shocking case that has stunned the sports fraternity, 25-year-old state-level tennis player Radhika Yadav was allegedly shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Sushant Lok, Gurugram. The motive, police say, was a long-standing dispute over Radhika’s decision to run a tennis academy.
The autopsy report has confirmed that Radhika sustained four bullet wounds, all to her upper body. Three bullets were recovered from her body—one just below the neck, another near her lower back, and a third lodged internally. A fourth bullet created an exit wound, making a total of four gunshot injuries. The report confirms that all bullets were fired at close range, aimed at the chest region.
The alleged murder occurred on Thursday at the Yadav family’s double-storey residence. Deepak Yadav, a 49-year-old businessman, reportedly used his licensed revolver to shoot his daughter and later confessed to the crime during interrogation. He was produced in a Gurugram court on Friday, where he was sent to one-day police custody.
Police officials, speaking outside the court, revealed that they had requested a two-day remand to recover the remaining ammunition of the weapon used. Investigators are also probing how much ammunition Yadav had legally obtained and whether any of it is still unaccounted for. According to sources, the search will extend to Kasam village near Rewari, where the accused owns land and is believed to have stored the ammunition.
When escorted to court under heavy police security, Deepak Yadav kept his face hidden under a towel. Despite repeated questions from media personnel about his motive, he remained silent. After the hearing, with the towel removed, he once again faced a barrage of questions but was quickly moved into a police vehicle.
Investigators have stated that the motive for the crime stemmed from Deepak Yadav’s objection to his daughter’s career choices. Radhika had been running a tennis academy in Gurugram, something her father reportedly opposed for years. According to police sources, Deepak Yadav believed his daughter didn’t need to work, citing the family’s financial stability and rental income.
“There had been frequent arguments between them regarding the tennis academy,” a Gurugram police spokesperson confirmed. “The accused felt it was unnecessary and had repeatedly asked her to shut it down. When she refused, it led to increasing tension within the household.”
On the day of the incident, an argument is believed to have escalated, culminating in the fatal shooting. Deepak reportedly fired three rounds initially, and a fourth followed, according to forensic and witness inputs.
The police are now also investigating the role of other family members, particularly what Radhika’s mother was doing at the time of the shooting. No arrests apart from the father have been made so far, and authorities are exploring all angles, including the psychological state of the accused and the timeline leading up to the murder.
Radhika Yadav was a promising athlete with a reputation for mentoring young players. Her tragic and violent death has sparked outrage across the sports community, with many calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.
The case continues to develop as police attempt to retrieve all weapon-related evidence and prepare for further legal proceedings.
