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A Father’s Descent Into Darkness: How Taunts and Depression Led to Tragedy 

On the morning of July 10, 2025, the Yadav family, living in the upscale residential complex of Sushant Lok in Gurugram, began their day like any other. Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old former state-level tennis player, was in the kitchen preparing breakfast when her father entered, carrying a licensed .32 caliber revolver. What transpired next was a tragedy that no family could ever foresee—three gunshots, blood, and a life lost.

Radhika was not just an athlete; she was also a coach, an entrepreneur, and a social media influencer. She had successfully transformed her passion for tennis into a legitimate academy after an injury ended her playing career. However, over time, she became seen as an economic burden to the Yadav family. This culmination of events led to an act of violence that has shocked India and sparked conversations about toxic masculinity, economic dependency, and mental health issues.

They Mocked Me for Living Off My Daughter’s Earnings 

Deepak Yadav, 49, shocked the Gurugram Police with his signed confession, admitting to the crimes because he could no longer endure the pain. He explained that living in Wazirabad village subjected him to constant ridicule from family members and relatives due to his reliance on financial support from his daughter, Radhika. 

He recounted, "Whenever I visited the village to buy milk, I was mocked by people telling me that I was living off my daughter's money, and some even questioned her integrity; it hurt my pride." Ultimately, Deepak decided to come clean to the investigators.

Deepak had been unemployed and clinically depressed for 15 days, and demanded that she close her tennis academy. I can't take it, he told her, and when she declined to follow such a demand, Deepak was practically enraged enough to murder by that point.

The Last Argument: A Dispute Over Freedom

It was not simply societal pressure; rather, Radhika's defiance served as the catalyst that ignited her. She had shared an Instagram reel featuring the musician INAAM, which led Deepak to express his disagreement. However, the underlying concern was related to financial independence.

He wanted her to stop working, but she was independent. That independence cost her life, explained ACP Yashwant Yadav.

Radhika's uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, will never forget the horrible incident; I heard the gunshots and ran upstairs. I found her bleeding. We took her to the hospital, but she was too far gone. Her mother, Manju Yadav, said she was sick and did not see anything, which raised red flags about her role in the incident.

A Society’s Falling: When Pride Costs Lives 

Radhika Yadav's murder highlights a deadly combination of patriarchy, depression, and economic humiliation. Her father's confession reveals the profound impact of social stigma, serving as a warning to all of us: if we do not expedite our efforts to combat these issues, we will continue to lose individuals to mental health struggles and toxic masculinity. Silence is dangerous; raising awareness is essential for recovery.

Radhika’s death has deeply affected the tennis community. Her former coach, Manoj Bhardwaj, expressed his sorrow by saying, "She was focused, disciplined, and very gifted."