Why was tennis star Radhika Yadav shot dead by father? Cops hint at Insta reel

According to investigators, an altercation with her father was triggered by a disagreement over a video reel Radhika Yadav had shot for social media.

Updated on: Jul 10, 2025, 21:04:30 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A 25-year-old state-level tennis player was shot dead by her father at their Gurugram residence on Thursday following a dispute over a social media video, police said.

The incident took place at 11:30 am on the first floor of their home, police said. (Pixabay/Representative)

Her father, who allegedly fired three shots, has been arrested following statements by other family members.

The victim, Radhika Yadav, has represented Haryana in multiple state-level tennis tournaments and was considered a rising star in the local sporting circuit.

The incident took place at 11:30 am on the first floor of their home, police said.

Radhika Yadav shot over ‘reel’

According to investigators, an altercation with her father was triggered by a disagreement over a video reel Radhika Yadav had shot for social media. The father, allegedly angered by the post, took out his licensed revolver and opened fire.

Sandeep Kumar, public relations officer of Gurugram Police, said initial findings suggest that a social media post led to tension in the house. “The father became agitated and shot her. The weapon used was a licensed revolver and has been recovered from the house,” he said.

Family members rushed Radhika to a nearby private hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

Rajender Kumar, Station House Officer of Sector 56 Police Station, said the police received information about the incident from hospital.

“We received a call from the hospital regarding a woman admitted with gunshot wounds. By the time we arrived, she had passed away. Statements from family members confirmed that the father was responsible,” he said.

Police have registered a murder case and are questioning relatives and neighbours. Police said they are awaiting a detailed forensic report and have planned a psychological assessment of the accused to evaluate his mental condition at the time of the crime.

Manoj Bhardwaj, who previously coached Radhika, said her death was a huge loss. “She was focused, disciplined, and immensely talented. This is a huge loss,” he said.

Radhika’s body has been sent for post-mortem.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.