Actress Richa Chadha has condemned the heinous murder of Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old state-level tennis player, who was allegedly shot dead by her father Deepak Yadav in Gurugram. Chadha took to social media, her anger evident, as she branded Deepak Yadav a “coward” and a “loser.” She criticized not only the act itself but also the mentality that supports such violence in the name of family honor. In her statement, Richa categorically stated, “There is no honour in killing your own child. Now the whole world will remember Deepak Yadav as a LOSER and a COWARD in the annals of history.” Her remarks were in reaction to a video uploaded by Radhika’s friend Himanshikha Singh Rajput, in which she showed how Radhika used to be dominated by her father, rapped on the knuckles for wearing shorts, for talking to boys, and for being independent.
Deepak Yadav has confessed to the murder of his daughter according to the Gurugram police. He shot her four times, three on the back and one on the shoulder. It was reported that he was frustrated over living off Radhika’s income by running her tennis academy in Sector 57, Gurugram. Deepak was arrested and is currently in judicial custody for 14 days while the probe goes on.
More disturbing details came from Radhika’s close friend, who said that her father had conspired to commit the murder days in advance. She said he tied up the family pet dog and made sure his wife and younger child were out of the house before committing the act, indicating obvious premeditation. These reports have fueled public outrage and added depth to the discussion about the widespread control and violence woman live with in their own homes.
Richa Chadha’s strong protest resonates with a general feeling that such atrocities cannot and should not be justified in terms of any archaic conception of family honor or cultural compulsion. She also condemned those attempting to justify or explain the killing, calling them “losers too.
Outside Bollywood, the case has caused shockwaves in the sports and broader communities, posing serious questions about gender violence, mental health sensitivity, and the poisonous hold of patriarchy in some families. With more coming to light, Radhika Yadav’s untimely death remains to highlight the pressing need for social transformation and greater protection for women’s autonomy and security.
