Sexual exploitation allegation against 17-year-old woman shooter, FIR against national pistol coach; NRAI suspends him
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A shocking case has emerged from the sports world, with serious allegations of sexual exploitation made against national pistol coach Ankush Bhardwaj by a 17-year-old national-level woman shooter. Considering the gravity of the complaint, police have registered a case against the accused coach under the POCSO Act. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has also suspended him with immediate effect.
According to information, the victim’s family filed a police complaint against national shooting coach Ankush Bhardwaj on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. Police are currently investigating the matter. As per the FIR, the incident took place during a national-level shooting competition held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi.
The complaint states that the coach allegedly called the minor shooter to a hotel in Faridabad under the pretext of discussing sports-related matters. Initially, the meeting was planned in the hotel lobby, but later she was allegedly pressured to come to his room, where the incident took place. It is also alleged that after the incident, the coach threatened the victim, saying her sports career would be ruined and her family harmed if she disclosed the matter.
The traumatised athlete left the hotel and later informed her family, following which a police complaint was lodged. NRAI Secretary Pawan Kumar Singh said that Ankush Bhardwaj will remain suspended until the investigation is completed and will not be assigned any responsibility during this period.
A case has been registered against the accused at the NIT Women Police Station in Faridabad under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Faridabad Police PRO Yashpal Yadav said that the hotel management has been asked to immediately provide all CCTV footage from the day of the incident to verify the allegations. Police are probing the case from all angles.