Reel Created Uproar, Case Escalated to Daughter’s Murder: The Full Story Behind Tennis Player Radhika Yadav’s Murder

National News: The murder of junior international tennis player Radhika Yadav in Gurugram, Haryana, has shocked the nation. The tragedy has become even more disturbing as the murder was committed by her father, Deepak Yadav, allegedly over an Instagram reel. In the video, Radhika appeared with her co-actor Inamul Haque in a scene from a music video. After the reel went public, not only did strangers post objectionable comments, but even family acquaintances began complaining to her father.

Controversy Started with a Reel, Ended in Tragedy

Radhika had uploaded a 42-second Instagram reel featuring a scene from the music video ‘Karvan’, in which she starred opposite actor Inamul Haque. The full video was 2 minutes and 55 seconds long, but the short reel quickly went viral. In the opening 17 seconds, Radhika is seen resting her head on Inamul’s shoulder while he holds her hand.

Soon after the reel was posted, several acquaintances criticized the content and shared their disapproval with her father. The backlash from society, coupled with derogatory comments on social media, reportedly pushed her father over the edge.

Father Had Not Seen the Video Initially

According to Inamul Haque, the song was shared with Radhika before the shoot. She had mentioned that her father liked the song. However, he had only heard the audio — the video had not been made at that time. Initially, Radhika did not promote the video either, as her grandfather had passed away. It was only a few days before the incident that Radhika uploaded the reel to Instagram, which then caught the attention of family members and acquaintances. This led to growing protests and family arguments.

Local RWA President Confirms Family Dispute

Pawan Yadav, President of the Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of Sushant Lok Phase-2, confirmed that there was tension in Radhika’s household following the reel’s publication. Due to the backlash and objectionable comments, Radhika had to delete her social media account.

Two Major Theories Behind the Murder

Police investigations suggest that, apart from the controversy over the reel, another possible reason behind the murder was a disagreement regarding the tennis academy her father had opened for her. The police are currently exploring two key theories:

Theory 1: Conflict Over Acting Career and Academy

Deepak Yadav reportedly asked Radhika to stop acting and posting such reels, stating that it tarnished the family’s reputation. Radhika may have agreed to quit acting, but told her father she would also stop managing the tennis academy, which he had established at a cost of ₹1.25 crore. The argument escalated, leading to the fatal shooting.

Theory 2: Disobedience Triggered Violent Reaction

In another version, the father demanded that Radhika delete the reel and her Instagram account. When she refused, insisting on continuing her acting career and keeping her social media active, Deepak Yadav allegedly warned her to shut down the academy. Radhika's refusal led to a heated altercation, after which he shot her with his licensed revolver.

Mother’s Silence Raises Questions

Radhika's mother, Manju Yadav, was present at the time of the murder but has declined to give any statement to the police. Investigators believe that she was aware of the video and may have even accompanied Radhika to the shoot. This could be why she has chosen to remain silent. The murder case was registered based on a statement by Radhika’s uncle.

Co-Actor Inamul Haque Shares His Perspective

Inamul Haque told the media that he first met Radhika at a tennis event in Delhi, where she expressed interest in acting. She was later selected for the Karvan music video, which was shot over a span of 4–5 hours. After the shoot, they had little interaction beyond occasionally replying to each other’s Instagram stories.

Police Statement: Focus on Academy Dispute

Gurugram Police PRO Sandeep Kumar stated that the video in question is quite old and was reportedly shot with the family’s consent. So far, the investigation has not revealed any strong indication that the murder was solely due to the Instagram reel. The primary focus of the investigation remains on the disagreement regarding the tennis academy.

A Disturbing Reflection of Societal Pressures

This tragic incident raises serious questions about how much autonomy young women truly have over their careers and personal choices in today’s society. Is acting, or sharing a scene on social media, such a grave offense that it warrants such an extreme reaction? Radhika’s murder is not just a case of domestic violence; it reflects a mindset where daughters are still judged and controlled by rigid societal and patriarchal expectations. Her death serves as a grim reminder that, for many, freedom of expression is still a luxury rather than a right.