Chandigarh/Faridabad, Jan 8: Haryana Police have registered a criminal case against national shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj on charges of sexually harassing a 17-year-old national-level shooter, following a complaint lodged by the athlete’s mother.
According to the FIR, the alleged incident took place on December 16, 2025, after the teenager participated in a national-level shooting competition at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in South Delhi.
The complainant stated that Bharadwaj later asked her to meet him at his hotel in the Surajkund area of Faridabad, claiming he wanted to discuss her performance. The FIR alleges that the coach initially asked the athlete to meet him in the hotel lobby but subsequently persuaded her to come to his room, saying a focused review was required.
It was there that the alleged assault took place, the FIR states. The survivor has further alleged that Bharadwaj threatened to ruin her sporting career and harm her family if she disclosed the incident.
Based on the complaint, the Women Police Station at NIT Faridabad registered a case under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Faridabad Police PRO Yashpal Yadav said investigators had moved swiftly to secure evidence. “Given the seriousness of the allegations, the hotel management has been directed to provide CCTV footage immediately,” he said.
Police officials said multiple teams have been formed to collect forensic and electronic evidence, and statements of hotel staff and other witnesses are being recorded. The accused coach is expected to be questioned soon.
Meanwhile, National Rifle Association of India secretary general Pawan Kumar Singh said the federation has suspended Bharadwaj from all responsibilities pending the outcome of the inquiry.
