Wanna Enjoy Life, Too Many Restrictions: Radhika Yadav’s WhatsApp Chats Reveal Desire For Freedom

WhatsApp messages exchanged between state-level tennis player Radhika Yadav and her coach Ajay Yadav have revealed that the 25-year-old, who was allegedly shot dead by her father Deepak Yadav on Thursday, had been hoping to spend a few months abroad to escape what she described as restrictions at home.

According to the chats reviewed by NDTV, Radhika had expressed her desire to live independently and travel overseas during October, November, and December. The exact dates of the exchanges remain unverified.

Whatsapp Exchange

In one of the messages, Radhika told Ajay she wasn't keen on visiting China due to dietary concerns. "China toh dekho khana peena will be an issue. Dubai australia wagerah theek hai. Australia family hai. Dubai mein aap ho (See, food will be an issue in China. Dubai, Australia, etc is alright. I have family in Australia, and I have you in Dubai)," she said.

As Ajay replied via voice note, Radhika responded: "1-2 months. Oct nov dec kuch bhi merko nikalna hai idhar se thode time ke liye (Anything will do, I want to get out of here for some time)."

In another message, Radhika explained her need for space and freedom. "Ghar wale toh theek hai. Lekin thode time rehna hai independently. Wanna enjoy life idhar kaafi restrictions hai. Baaki dekho aim toh yeh hee hai thode bohot course karle (Family members are fine. But I want to live an independent life for some time. I want to enjoy, there are a lot of restrictions here. Rest, see, the aim is to do quite a bit of courses)," she wrote, following another voice note from Ajay.

Further chats revealed her disappointment over her father's refusal to support her plans. "But phir maine papa se baat ki toh mana kar rahe they sab sunke. Ki koi point nahi hai kitne hee bacchenge paise (But I spoke to my father but he has refused despite listening to everything. He is saying there is no point and not much money will be saved)," she said. The context of this message is unclear. When Ajay responded again via voice note, Radhika replied: "Voh toh samajh rahi hoon (I understand that)."

Father Objected to Her Training Aspirants

Police on Saturday clarified that Radhika did not run a formal academy, contrary to earlier reports. Instead, she conducted tennis training sessions by booking courts at various venues - something her father Deepak had repeatedly objected to, PTI reported.

"Radhika did not have her own academy. She used to train aspirants by booking tennis courts at different places. Deepak had asked her several times to stop the training sessions, but she refused. That was the main tussle between the father and daughter," said an investigating officer.

Police said Deepak Yadav has confessed to killing his daughter. While speculations around a music video featuring Radhika had surfaced online, police have denied any link between the video and the crime.

"The video was uploaded in 2023, it has no connection with the murder. The accused has repeatedly said that he did not want his daughter to earn through training," Inspector Vinod Kumar from Sector 56 police station said.

A close relative also confirmed that Deepak had supported Radhika's tennis career from childhood but was upset by her decision to coach others, which she continued despite his objections.

Radhika sustained four bullet wounds - three in the back and one in the shoulder - according to the post-mortem report. Her last rites were performed at her ancestral village in Wazirabad on Friday.

Deepak Sent to Judicial Custody

The murder took place at the family's residence in Sushant Lok, Sector 57, Gurugram. The 49-year-old accused allegedly shot his daughter at point-blank range. Following his arrest, Deepak was remanded to one-day police custody on Friday and later sent to judicial custody by a local court on Saturday.

During interrogation, police recovered five bullets and a live cartridge from the residence. Deepak was also taken to a village in Pataudi as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officials now say earlier claims about taunts over living off his daughter's earnings contributed to Deepak's state of mind. Despite being financially stable with a steady rental income from multiple properties, Deepak was reportedly depressed in the days leading up to the murder.

With inputs from agencies.