India is reeling from the heartbreaking death of rising tennis player Radhika Yadav, who was allegedly shot dead by her father (Deepak Yadav) at their Gurugram home. The 25-year-old athlete’s murder has triggered an outpouring of grief and shock, especially after her close friend and fellow player, Himaanshika Singh Rajput, came forward with emotional and troubling claims.
In a viral video, Himaanshika accused Deepak of mentally tormenting Radhika for years. She said, “My best friend Radhika was murdered by her own father. He shot her five times. Four bullets hit her. He\’d made her life miserable for years with his controlling, constant criticism. In the end, he listened to so-called friends who were jealous of her success.”
Radhika Yadav Faced Constant Restrictions At Home, Says Friend
Himaanshika said Radhika Yadav was hardworking and had built her own tennis academy. But despite her achievements, she was reportedly forced to live under strict house rules. She shared, “They shamed her for wearing shorts, for talking to boys, for living life on her own terms.”
The two friends had played tennis together since 2012. Himaanshika recalled how Radhika wasn’t allowed to talk freely, even video calls with friends had to be monitored. She added, “She had to show her parents who she was speaking to. I had to appear on the call just to prove it was me. Her home was not a place of freedom.”
She also addressed the rumours of an interfaith angle. “People are talking about love jihad, but where is the evidence? She didn’t speak to many people. She was isolated.”
“Her Death Was Planned,” Says Himaanshika
In another post, Himaanshika revealed that the killing was not a crime of passion. She wrote, “This wasn’t a moment of madness. It was premeditated. Her father had been planning to kill her for days.”
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Radhika Yadav was shot with five bullets – three in the back and one in the shoulder. She was rushed to a hospital but didn’t survive. Her last rites were performed in her native village, Wazirabad.
Deepak Yadav has been arrested. Police confirmed that no communal motive is being investigated. His elder brother later told the media, “He said he should be hanged. He realises his mistake. The whole family is in shock.”
