FIR filed against national shooting coach for sexual assault, NRAI suspends him

The National Rifles Association of India ( NRAI ) has suspended Ankush Bhardwaj , a prominent member of India’s shooting coaching staff, following allegations of sexual assault by a minor shooter during the National Championships last month. An FIR has been registered against Bhardwaj in Faridabad , police confirmed.

Bhardwaj, a resident of Mohali , has been booked under Section 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated sexual assault) and Section 351(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (criminal intimidation). NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia said, “He has been suspended on moral grounds. He now has to prove himself innocent. Until the inquiry is completed, he will not be associated with any coaching activity.”

Bhatia added that Bhardwaj had been recommended by NRAI for a place in the 37-member coaching team after the Paris Olympics 2024 , and was subsequently appointed by SAI . “This is a case of sexual harassment that occurred in Surajkund,” he said.

According to the FIR, the 17-year-old victim, who has been training under Bhardwaj since August last year, was targeted during the National Championships at Karni Singh Range . She alleged that while Bhardwaj had previously called her for training at various venues, she would always return home the same day. However, on the day of the incident, she traveled unaccompanied by taxi to the Karni Singh Range to compete.

The victim stated that after her competition, Bhardwaj asked her to stay back for a performance review. She alleged that he initially requested to meet in the hotel lobby in Surajkund, before coercing her into his room under the pretext of discussing her match. In the FIR, she stated: “I immediately refused. Then sir forcibly made me lie face down and sexually assaulted me, and when I opposed, he threatened me. He warned me not to disclose the incident or he would sabotage my professional career.”

The girl eventually confided in her mother on January 1 , after persistent questioning and observing changes in her behaviour following the incident.

A senior police officer confirmed that a probe is underway. Bhardwaj, a former pistol shooter, had previously served a doping ban in 2010 for the use of a beta-blocker , which is prohibited in disciplines like shooting, archery, and billiards as it reduces heart rate, muscle tremors, and anxiety.

Incidents like this continue to cast a shadow over India’s sports culture. Many athletes face harassment or abuse but are unable to speak out due to fear of retaliation or damage to their careers. Too often, young talents are left with only two choices: endure the misconduct silently or abandon their sports dreams altogether. Advocates say creating safe, accountable environments is essential to ensure athletes can train and compete without fear.