Indian Tennis Pro Radhika Yadav, 25, Murdered By Her Father for Earning More Than Him Through Tennis Coaching

In a shocking incident that has left the Indian tennis community and people at large in bewilderment, a 25-year-old coach and tennis player, Radhika Yadav, was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in the northern Indian state of Haryana on 10 July, triggering national outrage.

Radhika, a former junior international player and a dedicated tennis coach, was gunned down at around 10.30 am (IST) in the kitchen of her Gurugram residence.

Police alleged that her father, Deepak, pumped his daughter, Radhika, with three bullets in the waist and back and four in her chest, using a licensed revolver.

Investigators reported that the motive stemmed from taunts of villagers in the male-dominated state of Haryana, wherein Deepak was accused of 'living off his daughter's income', the remarks which he claimed 'humiliated' him.

After which he had urged Radhika to stop training young players at a centre, but she refused—an impasse that escalated into tragedy.

A Life of Promise, Tragically Cut Short

Born on 23 March 2000, Radhika emerged as a talented player on the tennis circuit, achieving a career-high ITF doubles ranking of 113 and representing Haryana in national and junior international events.

Following a shoulder injury, she shifted her attention to coaching, training athletes by booking courts across Gurugram.

Though some early reports spoke of her owning an academy, police clarified that Radhika did not run a formal academy, but offered coaching services through court bookings.

Her friend and fellow player, Himaanshika Singh Rajput, shared that Radhika's life was under intense control by her family.

Himaanshika said in a viral video that Radhika had been 'murdered by her father', who 'made her life miserable for years with his controlling, constant criticism'. She alleged that Deepak had planned the murder over three days and showed 'no remorse' afterwards.

Relatives have disputed some of Himaanshika's claims, but the friend's account is well‑documented and provides a window into the intense emotional pressure Radhika reportedly faced .

Family Horror Captured in Confession

Police records reveal that Deepak confessed to the crime, citing his wounded pride and humiliation. He reportedly telephoned his brother and pleaded to be hanged, describing the act using the chilling term 'kanya vadh' (daughter-slaughter).

Her uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, residing on the ground floor, discovered Radhika's body alongside his son and filed the FIR with the authorities.

Police have confirmed that her mother, Manju Yadav, was present upstairs in the house at the time of the shooting, with no suggestion of her involvement in the incident.

Investigation and Evidence

Authorities recovered a licensed .32‑bore revolver and also retrieved Radhika's mobile phone, now undergoing digital examination by Haryana's IT department.

The initial findings from her WhatsApp conversations reportedly reveal that she had long expressed a desire to relocate abroad, specifically mentioning Dubai and Australia, in hopes of escaping what she described as an emotionally stifling home environment.

Police sources reported that Deepak had been in a state of mental distress for at least two weeks before the killing, allegedly triggered by mockery from villagers over his financial dependence on his daughter.

Authorities are probing all the angles: the coach's income, social media content, potential romantic associations, and familial conflict.

For now, Deepak remains in custody facing charges under Indian law. An autopsy and evidence review are expected to influence court proceedings in the coming days.

Police anticipate forming a comprehensive case based on forensic reports, digital records and witness testimony. Judicial hearings are imminent.

Honour Killings in the UK: A Global Mirror of Patriarchal Control

Social analysts highlight this case as a stark reminder of entrenched patriarchal attitudes—the idea that a daughter's success may overshadow or threaten her father's social standing .

The incident has sparked reflection beyond India, mirroring disturbing patterns of honour-based violence seen globally, including in the United Kingdom.

Each year, 12–15 women are killed in the UK in honour-related incidents, according to estimates from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Yet campaigners believe the real figure may be significantly higher due to underreporting and cultural silence.

These killings are typically rooted not in religion, but in patriarchal codes of control, where women are punished for perceived transgressions against familial or societal 'honour'. Victims are often murdered for:

• Refusing arranged or forced marriages
• Leaving abusive partners
• Choosing relationships or lifestyles deemed 'immoral'
• Pursuing education or careers without male consent
• Simply asserting independence

One of the most harrowing UK cases remains that of Banaz Mahmod, a young Kurdish woman from London who was strangled in 2006 by family members after leaving an abusive forced marriage. Despite repeated pleas to the police for protection, she was tragically failed by the system.

These crimes often involve meticulous planning, multiple conspirators, and a chilling absence of remorse, paralleling the circumstances in Radhika's case, where her father, Deepak Yadav, allegedly admitted to plotting the murder for days.

The broader question remains: how can societies, both in India and the UK, effectively protect women from the lethal consequences of male entitlement?

Radhika's story, like Banaz's, stands as a stark reminder that honour killings are not confined by geography, but by ideology, and they must be tackled accordingly.