A serious criminal case has been registered in Faridabad against a national-level shooting coach, identified as Ankush Bhardwaj, for the alleged rape of a 17-year-old shooter. The incident took place on December 16, 2025, during a national shooting championship held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi. According to the survivor’s complaint, the coach took advantage of his position of authority by luring her to his hotel room in the Surajkund area under the guise of providing a professional performance evaluation.

The details of the complaint reveal a troubling breach of trust. After the day's competition, the coach allegedly called the minor athlete to the hotel lobby to discuss her scores. Once she arrived, he reportedly pressured her to accompany him to his private room for a more "focused" discussion. Inside the room, he is accused of sexually assaulting her and subsequently threatening to end her professional career and harm her family if she spoke out about the incident.

The matter came to light on January 1, 2026, after the victim confided in her mother following several days of trauma. Consequently, the Faridabad Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Women's Police Station under Section 6 of the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police spokesperson Yashpal Singh confirmed that investigators are currently analyzing CCTV footage from the hotel and collecting forensic evidence to corroborate the athlete’s statement.

In response to the gravity of the allegations, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has officially suspended Ankush Bhardwaj from all coaching duties. The federation clarified that while he had been recommended for a coaching role following the 2024 Paris Olympics, he will now remain barred from any association with the sport until the inquiry is completed and he can prove his innocence. Authorities are also investigating claims that other female shooters may have been targeted by the same individual.