Tennis Star Radhika Yadav Gunned Down by Jealous Father Who ‘Couldn’t Bear Her Success
In a shocking incident that has left India’s sports fraternity in a state of shock, a talented tennis player was allegedly shot dead by her own father reportedly due to jealousy over her achievements.
Radhika Yadav, 25, a state-level tennis player and coach with national and international accolades, was shot dead while cooking at their residence in Gurgaon’s Sector 43. Her father, 54-year-old Deepak Yadav, allegedly fired four bullets into her waist using his licensed .32 bore revolver, killing her on the spot.
Investigators believe wounded pride and envy over Radhika’s rising success and financial independence might have been the reason behind the attack, according to The Indian Express. Deepak reportedly felt humiliated by comments from locals in his native Wazirabad village who used to mock him for living off his daughter’s earnings.
“This had become a sore point for him,” said Inspector Vinod Kumar, Station House Officer. “He repeatedly asked Radhika to give up coaching and working with elite clients, but she refused. The public taunts and her defiance built up his resentment.”
Deepak is in custody and has been sent to one-day custody by a city court. He faces charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and Arms Act. Police recovered the weapon, five spent cartridges and one live round from the scene.
Radhika’s uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lives on the ground floor, heard the shots and rushed upstairs with his son. They found Radhika lying in a pool of blood and took her to a nearby private hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. Kuldeep later filed the complaint and Deepak was arrested.
Investigators have ruled out the motives of Radhika’s involvement in a music video or her social media activity. Instead, they are looking into a deeper domestic conflict shaped by traditional gender expectations and resentment towards her success.
Autopsy confirmed she was hit by four bullets and her body was handed over to the family for last rites.
Who Was Radhika Yadav?
Born on March 23, 2000, Radhika had been climbing the ranks in Indian tennis. According to All India Tennis Association (AITA), she held rankings of 75 in Girls Under-18, 53 in Women’s Doubles and 35 in Women’s Singles.
Internationally she was ranked 113 on the ITF circuit.The news has shocked the sports and women’s rights fraternity who are calling it a case of patriarchy and wounded male ego.
Many are mourning the loss of a talented athlete whose life was allegedly snatched by the same person who used to cheer for her.
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Tennis Star Radhika Yadav Gunned Down by Jealous Father Who ‘Couldn’t Bear Her Success