A prominent member of India's shooting coaching staff, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been accused of sexual harassment by a minor shooter, prompting the national federation to suspend him, PTI reported.
NRAI (National Rifles Association of India) confirmed that an FIR has been filed against Bhardwaj in Faridabad."NRAI has suspended him and we will issue a show-cause notice," NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia told PTI.
“He has been suspended on moral grounds. Now, he has to prove himself innocent. Till the inquiry is not completed, he will not be associated with any coaching activity,” he added.
Bhatia said NRAI had recommended Bhardwaj for a place in the 37-strong coaching team after the Paris Olympics in 2024.
"It was on the recommendation of the NRAI that he was appointed by SAI as one of the coaches. It is a case of sexual harassment which happened in Surajkund," said Bhatia.
Bhatia did not say when the incident took place but according to the FIR filed by the victim, she was targetted last month after a training session at the Karni Singh Range.
The girl, who has been training with Bhardwaj since August last year, stated that she was left traumatised by the incident and spoke up in front of her mother on January 1 after being persistently probed.
Bhardwaj, a former pistol shooter, had served a doping ban in 2010 for the use of a beta-blocker during his competitive days.
“Looking at the seriousness of the case, we have already asked the hotel administration to share all the CCTV camera footage of the day of the incident immediately to corroborate the allegations of the minor girl,” Yashpal Yadav, public relations officer of Faridabad police, said, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case at the Women’s Police Station, NIT Faridabad, under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as the athlete was a minor at the time of the alleged incident.
Following the complaint, Bharadwaj has been suspended from all duties, according to a report by Mathurabhumi.
The complaint also indicates that another female shooter may have been subjected to similar misconduct by the same coach, a claim that is now being investigated, the report noted.
Help is available!
If you or someone is experiencing sexual abuse, there are multiple avenues to seek immediate help, legal support, and protection:
Police (Emergency Number): Dial 100 to report any immediate threat or crime.
Women’s Helpline: 1091 – connects directly to law enforcement support for women in distress.
2. For Children and Minors
Childline India (24x7, Toll-Free): 1098 – a dedicated helpline for children in distress, including sexual abuse, exploitation, or trafficking.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act: Any child sexual abuse case can be reported at a local Police Station or a Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU). This law ensures swift action and protection for minors.
3. National-Level Support & Legal Assistance
National Commission for Women (NCW): Provides guidance, legal assistance, and redressal for complaints of sexual harassment or abuse.
Phone: 011-26942369 / 011-26944754
Key Takeaways
- Awareness of the POCSO Act and available legal protections for minors is crucial.
- There is a pressing need for a safe environment in sports to prevent abuse.
- Immediate reporting and intervention are vital in cases of sexual assault.
