A national-level shooting coach has been suspended after a minor athlete accused him of sexual assault during the National Shooting Championships held last month. The National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) confirmed that a police complaint has been filed against coach Ankush Bhardwaj, and disciplinary action has been initiated.
According to the NRAI, an FIR has been registered in Faridabad under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which relates to aggravated sexual assault, along with Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation. The federation said Bhardwaj has been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of the investigation.
“NRAI has taken a serious view of the allegations and suspended the coach on moral grounds. A show-cause notice will be issued, and he will remain barred from all coaching responsibilities until the inquiry is completed,” NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia said.
Bhardwaj was among a group of coaches appointed by the Sports Authority of India following the Paris Olympics in 2024, based on recommendations made by the NRAI.
The complaint states that the alleged incident occurred at the Karni Singh Shooting Range during the
Ankush Bhardwaj after complaint under POCSO Act during National Championships
The 17-year-old shooter, who had reportedly been training under Bhardwaj since August last year, said she was travelling alone for the competition when the incident took place.
According to the FIR, after her event concluded, the coach allegedly asked her to stay back for a performance review. The shooter claimed she was later asked to meet him at a hotel lobby in the Surajkund area of Faridabad, from where she was allegedly persuaded to enter his hotel room under the guise of further discussion.
The minor alleged that she was assaulted when she attempted to leave and was threatened with damage to her sporting career if she reported the matter. She said fear and trauma prevented her from speaking out immediately, and she eventually disclosed the incident to her mother on January 1 after concerns were raised about changes in her behaviour.
Police officials have confirmed that the case is under investigation.
Bhardwaj, a former pistol shooter, has previously faced disciplinary action, having served a doping ban in 2010 for using a prohibited beta-blocker, a substance banned in precision sports such as shooting.
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