The tragic murder of 25-year-old national-level tennis player Radhika Yadav has shocked the nation. On July 10, 2025, she was shot dead by her own father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Gurugram. This horrifying act was not a moment of sudden rage but, as emerging details suggest, a premeditated crime preceded by at least ten days of emotional suffering and psychological torment.
Radhika’s close friend, Himaanshika Singh Rajput, revealed disturbing insights into the young athlete’s final days through a series of emotional Instagram reels. She said that Radhika had reached a point of complete despair, telling her father that she would do anything he asked just to end the constant mental agony. According to Himaanshika, Deepak Yadav had made detailed preparations over three days before the murder, ensuring that no other family members or even pets were present to intervene. Radhika, once a symbol of strength and independence, had become emotionally drained and resigned to her fate.
Radhika’s home environment, as described by her friend, was deeply toxic. Her parents allegedly imposed strict controls over her life, criticizing her for wearing shorts, talking to boys, and even for her financial independence. Himaanshika stated that her parents “couldn’t stand to see her independent,” and this need to dominate and control her life only grew worse as she matured and made a name for herself. Radhika had been supporting her family with the earnings she made from tennis, yet her father felt humiliated by this and reportedly believed that society mocked him for depending on his daughter’s success.
The gruesome nature of the murder further highlights the intensity of the violence. Initial reports stated that Deepak fired three shots into Radhika’s back. However, the autopsy revealed that she was struck four times, with bullets found in her back and chest. This contradicts the FIR and raises questions about the accuracy of the initial investigation. It also reinforces suspicions of cold-blooded intent rather than an impulsive act.
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Himaanshika’s revelations paint a heartbreaking picture of a young woman caught between the love of her sport and the chains of a suffocating domestic life. The emotional and physical abuse she endured over the years culminated in a brutal end, not because she failed, but because she dared to live on her own terms. This case has sparked national outrage and prompted serious discussions around patriarchy, control, and the dangers of emotional abuse within families.
As investigations continue, the public is demanding justice for Radhika Yadav, not only in the form of a legal verdict but by addressing the deeper social issues that led to her tragic death. Her story is a painful reminder of how ambition and independence can sometimes be viewed as threats by those closest to us—and how, if unchecked, such toxic mindsets can lead to unthinkable outcomes.
