Gurugram: Tennis player Radhika Yadav was killed by her father because of her ambition. Deepak Yadav shot her five times. He could no longer tolerate neighbour’s taunts about his daughter’s success. Three bullets struck her neck and back, killing her instantly.
In an age where phones and cameras have become tools of empowerment for young women, their ambition and visibility are increasingly putting them in harm’s way. Across India—from Gurugram to Bihar, Kolkata to Punjab—young women are facing violence not for breaking the law, but for breaking silence: by posting reels, sharing opinions, or building careers online. Too often, the threat is not from strangers but from within the walls of their own homes.
In West Bengal, 38-year-old Parimal Baidya slit his wife’s throat after months of disputes over her online presence. In Bihar, 25-year-old Maheshwar Rai strangled and hanged his wife after frequent arguments over her making Instagram reels. In Punjab, influencer Kanchan Kumari, also known as ‘Kamal Kaur Bhabhi,’ was murdered shortly after a religious leader condemned her bold content.
Radhika was a former state-ranked tennis player, an international competitor, and an ambitious content creator determined to shape her future on her own terms. After a shoulder injury cut short her athletic career, she launched a tennis academy, earning her own living, and sharing her journey online. But her independence came at a cost in a society still uncomfortable with women who step outside traditional roles.
According to his own statements given to the police, Deepak Yadav was deeply affected by taunts from neighbours and villagers in Wazirabad, their native village, about “living off his daughter’s income” from her tennis academy. He confessed that these jibes and questions about her character wounded his pride and contributed to his decision to kill her.
“When women start succeeding—whether it’s showcasing their talent or earning independently—it disturbs the fragile egos of male family members. Fathers, brothers, even husbands feel threatened,” said Monika Sharma, a psychologist based in Delhi.
There are other young women online who are pushing back against daily pressures from their families.
When women start succeeding—whether it’s showcasing their talent or earning independently—it disturbs the fragile egos of male family members. Fathers, brothers, even husbands feel threatened
Akanksha Bhardwaj, a 26-year-old actress and content creator from Haryana, shared how young women around her are pressured by their families against creating online content.
“They’re threatened with being thrown out of the house if they pursue content creation. So many of my friends end up blocking family members on social media just to avoid confrontation,” she said.
While many young women face hostility within their homes, others manage to push back—with persistence and family support.
Model and influencer Tanuja Diwan, 25, said it took time and tough conversations for her family to understand and support her career.
“They think we’re supposed to stay inside the house, silent and obedient.”
Even something as simple as socialising sparked judgement in her community.
“If male friends came over, neighbours would immediately tell my parents, ‘Your daughter is getting out of control,’” she recalled. “But my parents always stood their ground. They’d respond, ‘How is it any of your business?’”
Also read: Tennis player’s father shot her dead over jibes about ‘living off her income’—‘insult to my dignity’
A life snatched by male ego
Twenty-five-year-old Radhika Yadav was in the kitchen of her three-storeyed home, possibly preparing a meal for her mother’s birthday. Her father Deepak walked in and shot her.
Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav, was at home at the time of the shooting. She told police she was unwell and unaware of what had happened, but officers remain sceptical. She was on the same floor when the shots were fired and has refused to give a written statement.
The murder weapon—a licensed .32 bore revolver—was recovered from the drawing room table, along with five spent cartridges and one live round. Forensic tests are currently underway. Police are also investigating whether Radhika’s social media accounts were deleted before or after her death, and who was responsible.
“Yes, she was his daughter, but she was also a citizen with her own likes, dislikes, and choices. If a father disagrees with her decisions, does that mean she no longer has the right to live? That mindset is barbaric. Anyone who acts out of such hatred must be held accountable,” said Jagmati Sangwan, a political activist.
Radhika’s story is one of lost potential. She had once ranked fifth in Haryana for women’s doubles tennis and competed in international tournaments. After her injury, she channelled her passion into launching a tennis academy. Her Instagram reels chronicled this journey, and in 2024, she even appeared in a romantic music video titled Karwaan.
Produced by Zeeshan Ahmad under LLF Records and featuring independent artist INAAM. Shot in elegant black and white, it portrays a nostalgic love story—INAAM’s character reminisces about his ex-girlfriend, played by Radhika. The scenes between them are intimate yet tasteful, showing them happy and in love.
After the killing, the comments section on YouTube has turned into a mix of mourning and mockery. While some viewers are expressing grief with messages like “Rest in peace,” others are posting cruel remarks. One comment reads, “Iska Karwaan khatam ho gaya (Her journey has ended),” a cold twist on the song’s title.
Radhika would often film joyful Instagram reels, sometimes even dancing with her father after winning trophies.
But her determination to build a life on her own terms clashed with her father’s ego—and with a society still unwilling to accept women who defy expectations.
“I’ve known Radhika’s family since childhood. They’ve always been a good, respectful family,” said Pawan Yadav, president of Sushant Lok RWA Phase 1 and Phase 3 in Gurugram, where Radhika lived with her parents. “Her father enrolled her in one of the top schools in the city (Scottish High International School), and even encouraged her to play tennis. He helped her start her tennis academy. If he was truly jealous or ashamed of her, would he have done any of that?”
Pawan also attended Radhika’s last rites, where mourners whispered questions that had no easy answers.
“Everyone was trying to understand what could have possibly triggered such a horrific act. No one could imagine a father doing this to his daughter,” he said.
An old video of Radhika has now gone viral. It shows her gently coaching a young girl, tossing tennis balls one by one at her so she could practice her swings.
According to police, the primary motive behind the murder was an ongoing dispute over her tennis academy and Deepak Yadav’s frustration over local gossip and taunts. However, investigators are also looking into her online content, personal relationships, and the deletion of her social media accounts as possible secondary triggers.
(Edited by Prashant)