NEW DELHI (Web Desk: India’s national shooting coach, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been suspended following allegations of sexual assault involving a 17-year-old shooter.
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According to Indian media reports, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) took immediate action to remove Bhardwaj from all coaching activities after the serious accusations surfaced.
The alleged incident reportedly took place during a national shooting competition in Faridabad in December 2025. The athlete’s family said the coach called the young shooter to a hotel room under the pretext of reviewing her performance, where he allegedly behaved inappropriately and threatened her to remain silent.
The athlete had been training under Bhardwaj’s supervision since August 2024. On January 1, 2026, she confided in her mother about her mental distress, which brought the matter to light.
Faridabad police have registered a case under India’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In response, the NRAI acted swiftly, suspending Bhardwaj on moral grounds and issuing a showcause notice. NRAI Secretary Rajiv Bhatia confirmed that Bhardwaj will not be involved in any coaching activities until the investigation is complete.
Police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the hotel in collaboration with the management as part of their investigation.
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