Haryana Police have registered an FIR under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the shooting coach for sexual assault , and are examining CCTV footage and witness statements.
BY PC Bureau
January 8, 2026: National shooting coach and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ankush Bharadwaj has been suspended from all official duties after a 17-year-old national-level female shooter accused him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel room in Faridabad. Haryana Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, triggering a criminal investigation into the allegations.
Bharadwaj, who is among the 13 national pistol coaches appointed by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), faces charges under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault, and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to criminal intimidation. The alleged incident has sent shockwaves through India’s shooting fraternity and raised fresh concerns over athlete safety and safeguarding mechanisms within elite sports.
According to the FIR and the survivor’s detailed complaint, the alleged assault took place on December 16, when the teenager was participating in a national-level shooting competition at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. The athlete, who has been training as a shooter since 2017, said she began training under Bharadwaj last year and frequently travelled to different cities for competitions and coaching sessions.
The complaint states that after the competition, Bharadwaj asked the shooter to stay back at the range to discuss her performance. He later called again and allegedly asked her to come to a five-star hotel in Faridabad, claiming a more detailed performance analysis was required. The minor said she waited in the hotel lobby before the coach instructed her to come to his room.
Allegations Inside the Hotel Room
In her complaint, the teenager said she was sitting on a chair inside the room when Bharadwaj offered to “crack her back.” She refused, but alleged that the coach then forced her onto the bed and sexually assaulted her. The survivor said she resisted and managed to push him away.
She further alleged that Bharadwaj threatened to destroy her shooting career and harm her family if she disclosed the incident, warning her to behave normally around him. The complaint states that he later dropped her home.
“I was scared and didn’t tell anyone initially. He complained to my parents that I don’t listen to him. My mother scolded me, and I couldn’t sleep at night. When she asked why I was so stressed, I told her everything, and she took me to the police station,” the survivor said in her statement.
The FIR also mentions that the athlete alleged another female shooter had previously experienced similar inappropriate behaviour by the same coach, a claim police are expected to examine as part of the wider investigation.
Haryana: National Shooting Coach Suspended for Raping 17-Year-Old Athlete in Faridabad Hotel During Delhi Championship
– A top national shooting coach, Ankush Bharadwaj, has been suspended following accusations from a 17-year-old athlete that he sexually assaulted her in a… pic.twitter.com/hL14ms7NJ4
— Ritam English (@english_ritam) January 8, 2026
Police Investigation and Evidence Collection
The case has been registered at the Women’s Police Station, NIT Faridabad, and police say they are treating the matter with utmost seriousness due to the involvement of a minor.
“Considering the gravity of the allegations, we have asked the hotel management to immediately provide CCTV footage from the day of the incident to corroborate the minor’s complaint,” said Yashpal Yadav, Public Relations Officer of Faridabad Police.
Investigators are also recording statements from witnesses, examining call records, and coordinating with authorities in Punjab, where Bharadwaj resides and runs his shooting academy.
NRAI Suspends Coach Pending Inquiry
Following media reports and confirmation of the FIR, the National Rifle Association of India announced Bharadwaj’s immediate suspension.
“Till the inquiry is completed, coach Ankush Bharadwaj is suspended from all duties and will not be assigned any new responsibility,” NRAI Secretary General Pawan Kumar Singh said.
Sports administrators said the suspension is a precautionary measure while the legal process continues.
Who Is Ankush Bharadwaj?
Ankush Bharadwaj rose to prominence after winning gold in the 50-metre pistol event at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. However, his career suffered a setback in 2010 when the Sports Authority of India banned him for doping after he tested positive for beta blockers. Bharadwaj later claimed he had taken medication for a headache and was unaware of its prohibited nature.
He returned to competitive shooting in 2012 and went on to win medals at international events. Currently based in Mohali, Bharadwaj runs the Salvo Shooting Range in Sector 86, which has multiple branches across India. He is married to Anjum Moudgil, a two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist.
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Family Seeks Justice, Privacy
The teenager’s parents said the incident has left the family deeply traumatised. In a statement, they said their daughter has been advised counselling and psychological support.
“Our priority is our daughter’s health and recovery. As parents, we do not want any other child to suffer the same fate. If there are others who were affected, we hope the investigation brings that out,” the statement said.
The family added that they are placing their trust in the Haryana Police and requested privacy as legal proceedings continue.
The case has once again highlighted long-standing concerns around power imbalance, safeguarding failures, and accountability in Indian sports, particularly in disciplines where athletes rely heavily on coaches for selection, training and career advancement.
As the investigation proceeds, sports bodies are likely to face renewed calls to strengthen child protection protocols, independent grievance mechanisms, and stricter monitoring of coaches working with minors.
The police investigation is ongoing.
