‘Cracked my back, forced himself on me: Teen shooter accuses national coach of sexual assault

The National Rifles Association of India (NRAI) has suspended national shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj following an accusation of sexual assault by a 17-year-old national-level shooter. Confirming his suspension, 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.”

Alleged incident in Faridabad

The teen shooter, who has been training with Bharadwaj since August 2025, alleged that the coach called her to a five-star hotel in Faridabad in December 2025 under the pretext of reviewing her performance at a competition. According to the FIR, the incident took place on December 16 after she participated in a national-level shooting event at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in south Delhi's Tughlakabad.

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Teen describes hotel ordeal

In her complaint, the minor said she was waiting in the hotel lobby when Bharadwaj called her to his room. While she was seated on a chair, he offered to “crack her back.” While she refused, he allegedly forced her onto the bed and sexually assaulted her. She further said that when she resisted, Bharadwaj threatened to ruin her career if she disclosed the incident. After allegedly assaulting her, he reportedly dropped her home.

Fear, disclosure, and complaint

The girl told the police that she kept quiet initially because she was afraid. "I was scared, and I did not say anything to anyone ... Ankush Bharadwaj sir complained to my parents that I don't listen to him. My mother scolded me, and I could not sleep at night. When my mother asked me why I was stressed, I told her everything, and she brought me to the police station," NDTV reported, quoting the girl as saying.

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Bharadwaj, who was a pistol shooter, had to serve a doping ban in 2010 for taking a beta-blocker during his competitive days. The NRAI has made it clear that he is to be suspended from all coaching duties until the inquiry is complete. Further police inquiries are underway based on the FIR and statements recorded.