‘She defied me’ — The father’s confession
The North News
Chandigarh, July 11
A 25-year-old tennis player, Radhika Yadav, was shot dead by her father inside their home in Sector 57, Gurugram. According to the police FIR, her father, Deepak Yadav, confessed to firing three bullets at her while she was preparing dinner in the kitchen.
The incident occurred around 10:30 AM on July 10, when relatives heard loud gunshots from the first floor of the house. Upon rushing upstairs, they found Radhika lying in a pool of blood in the drawing room. She had sustained bullet injuries to her neck and back. Deepak Yadav stood beside her with the murder weapon — a licensed revolver — in hand.
Police and forensic teams quickly arrived at the scene and took Deepak into custody. The revolver was seized, and fingerprints were collected. According to the police, Deepak had planned to kill Radhika for several days and had retrieved his revolver from storage the night before the shooting.
The FIR reveals Deepak Yadav’s motive stemmed from his growing frustration over Radhika’s increasing independence and defiance of his wishes. She had opened her own tennis academy and was coaching children — a profession Deepak disapproved of, fearing societal taunts and humiliation from villagers.
Deepak reportedly told police: “People mocked me for living off my daughter’s earnings. I asked her to stop, but she never listened. I was ashamed. I took out my revolver and shot her while she was making rotis for me.”
He further claimed that Radhika’s presence on Instagram and the popularity of her reels deeply embarrassed him. He also suspected she was in a romantic relationship against his wishes, though the FIR does not confirm if this was substantiated.
According to the complaint recorded by a relative, the family lived on the ground floor, while Radhika and her parents occupied the first floor. The day of the murder, Radhika had been preparing food for her father. The weapon used — a .32 bore licensed revolver — was fired at close range.
After the shooting, Deepak made no attempt to flee. He admitted the crime to arriving officers and handed over the revolver. The body was taken to Marengo Hospital, Sector 56, where doctors declared her brought dead. An autopsy is being conducted.
Police have registered a case under murder and the Arms Act.
