A city court on Saturday sent Deepak Yadav, 51, to 14 days in judicial custody after police accused him of fatally shooting his daughter, Radhika Yadav, at their home in Gurugram’s Sector 57.
Radhika, 25, was a state-level tennis player and founder of a recently launched academy. She was shot four times in the back while cooking breakfast at their residence on Thursday morning.
No Evidence Against Mother, Say Police
Investigators have cleared Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, of any involvement in the incident. Police say she neither knew about the plan nor witnessed the shooting.
“There was initial suspicion that she might have also been involved,” said Gurugram police PRO Sandeep Kumar. “But nothing adverse was found. Deepak appears to have acted alone.”
Murder Weapon Recovered
Police recovered Deepak’s licensed revolver from the scene. The same weapon was allegedly used in the shooting. Four bullets were extracted from Radhika’s body during the autopsy.
Deepak was arrested shortly after the incident and initially placed under a one-day remand. Police had requested two days.
Confession, Regret, and Social Pressure
During interrogation, Deepak offered limited answers. Officers described him as withdrawn and possibly in shock.
He reportedly told police he had been feeling humiliated by gossip that he was living off his daughter’s income. According to the FIR, he admitted that this social criticism had hurt his pride and pushed him into depression.
Investigators say Deepak wanted Radhika to shut her tennis academy. Things had grown increasingly tense just before the murder.
ALSO READ: Gurugram Builder Confessed to Planning Daughter Radhika Yadav’s Murder: Police
Alone with Radhika That Morning
The killing was planned, police say. That morning, Deepak told his son to get milk—something he normally did himself. Once alone with Radhika, he shot her while she was preparing breakfast.
“He admitted during questioning that he planned the murder,” Kumar said.
Further Investigation Ongoing
Police plan to re-interrogate family members and acquaintances. They are also awaiting forensic reports, including a gunpowder residue analysis. A charge sheet will be filed after all evidence is collected.
A Promising Career Cut Short
On the court, Radhika was a talented tennis player who earned a world doubles ranking of 113 and was ranked fifth in Haryana.
But she was much more than her rankings. She recently fulfilled a dream by opening her own tennis academy in March, and she loved keeping up with everyone on social media.
Even though a recent shoulder injury sidelined her from playing, the 2018 Scottish High grad poured her heart into her new academy, determined to stay connected to the sport that was her first love.
