NRAI Takes Action Against Ankush Bhardwaj Following FIR Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Minor

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The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has suspended shooting coach Ankush Bhardwaj following serious allegations of sexual assault by a 17-year-old trainee. The incident, reported from Faridabad, Haryana, has led to the registration of an FIR by local police. Bhardwaj, who is also the husband of Olympian Anjum Moudgil, has been barred from all coaching duties pending inquiry.

Details of the Alleged Incident


According to the FIR, the alleged assault took place last month in a hotel room in Surajkund, Faridabad, after a training session at Delhi’s Karni Singh Shooting Range. 

The minor trainee stated she had been training under Bhardwaj since August and was left deeply traumatised. She reportedly informed her mother on January 1 after repeated emotional distress, prompting the police complaint.

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NRAI Confirms Suspension and Inquiry


Confirming the action, NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia told PTI, “NRAI has suspended him and we will issue a show-cause notice.” He added, “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.” The federation has initiated an internal disciplinary process alongside the police investigation.

Role in National Coaching Setup


Bhardwaj was part of the 37-member coaching staff recommended by the NRAI after the Paris Olympics 2024 and appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Bhatia clarified, “It was on the recommendation of the NRAI that he was appointed by SAI as one of the coaches.” The case has raised concerns about athlete safety within elite training environments in India.

Conclusion: A Test for Accountability in Indian Sports


The suspension from the sports world casts a highlight on the ongoing debate concerning child protection in the context of Indian sports, particularly in light of the earlier incidents of misconduct. To make matters worse, Bhardwaj had already been convicted for doping in 2010 and banned from the sport for some time. 

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The outcome of the NRAI inquiry and police investigation will be closely watched, as this case highlights the necessity of having stricter control and open accountability within the national sports federations.