The investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Radhika Yadav, a former state-level tennis player, by her father, Deepak Yadav, continues to unfold, revealing tragic details and conflicting motives. The incident occurred at their residence in Gurugram, where Deepak shot Radhika at point-blank range. Following his arrest, Deepak reportedly expressed remorse, stating that he had committed "kanya vadh" (female slaughter) and wished to be hanged for his actions.
Conflicting Motives and Investigation Details
Initially, reports suggested that a disagreement over Radhika's tennis academy was the primary motive. Police stated that Deepak was unhappy with his daughter running the academy, especially since the family was financially secure. According to authorities, Deepak confessed that he was mocked for living off her income, which hurt his pride and led to depression. However, new details have emerged, suggesting the situation was more complex.
Recent investigations indicate that Radhika did not have a formal tennis academy but trained aspirants by booking courts at different locations. According to an investigating officer, Deepak had repeatedly asked her to stop these training sessions, leading to frequent arguments. While early reports mentioned Radhika's social media presence, including a music video, as a potential trigger for the murder, police have since dismissed these claims, stating that the video was uploaded in 2023 and had no connection to the crime.
Family's Perspective
Deepak's brother, Vijay Yadav, condemned the murder and recounted Deepak's statement to the police, emphasizing his desire for severe punishment. Other family members dispelled rumors that the motive was related to a love affair or inter-caste marriage. They highlighted that Deepak had supported Radhika's tennis career and expressed disbelief at the turn of events, attributing it to a moment of rage. Radhika's mother, Manju Yadav, has so far declined to provide a statement to the police, claiming she was unwell and did not witness the incident. Investigators are looking into whether she had any prior knowledge of Deepak's plan.
The Crime Scene and Evidence
The post-mortem report revealed that Radhika sustained four bullet wounds, three in the back and one in the shoulder. Police recovered five bullets and one live cartridge from Deepak's residence. The police also seized the DVR from the house and are investigating CCTV footage and WhatsApp chats. There was a two-hour gap between the time of the murder and when the police were alerted, leading investigators to believe that Deepak used this time to dispose of ammunition.
Legal Proceedings and Reactions
Deepak Yadav was initially sent to one-day police remand and later to 14 days of judicial custody. A Gurugram court is handling the legal proceedings. Prominent figures, such as javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, have reacted to the incident, urging families to stand by each other and to idolize successful women athletes.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring all possible angles and gathering evidence to determine the precise motive and circumstances surrounding Radhika Yadav's tragic death.