The Indian sporting community has been shaken by serious allegations of misconduct involving a minor athlete and her mentor. A 17-year-old national-level shooter has come forward with accusations against her coach, alleging sexual assault and professional intimidation. The incident, which reportedly took place during a major competition cycle, has prompted a formal police investigation and raised urgent questions regarding the safety of young athletes in high-pressure training environments.
The Alleged Incident and Breach of Trust
The timeline of the case traces back to mid-December during a prestigious national-level shooting competition held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in Tughlakabad, South Delhi. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the alleged incident occurred on December 16, following the athlete’s participation in her match.
The victim claims that her coach used his position of authority to lure her to a hotel in the Surajkund area of Faridabad, where he was staying during the tournament. Initially, the coach allegedly asked her to meet in the hotel lobby under the professional guise of “analysing her performance.” However, once she arrived, the dynamic shifted.
According to the FIR, the minor was allegedly pressured to move the meeting from the public lobby to the coach’s private room. The justification provided was the need for a “more focused discussion” regarding her technical execution and scores. It was within the confines of the hotel room that the coach allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Threats of Professional Sabotage
Beyond the physical assault, the victim’s account highlights a chilling pattern of psychological coercion. In the aftermath of the incident, the coach allegedly leveraged his influence over her future in the sport to ensure her silence.
The FIR states that the coach “threatened to ruin her career and harm her family if she disclosed what had happened.” This detail underscores the vulnerability of young athletes who depend on their coaches for selections, training opportunities, and career progression. For a national-level shooter on the cusp of adulthood, the threat of being blacklisted or having her reputation tarnished is a powerful tool of suppression.
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Legal Action and Police Proceedings
The matter came to light after the girl’s mother filed a formal complaint. On Tuesday, the Women Police Station NIT Faridabad officially registered a case against the coach. Given that the survivor was a minor at the time of the alleged offense, the authorities have invoked stringent legal provisions.
The case has been registered under:
- Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act: Dealing with aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
- Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Relating to criminal intimidation.
A senior police officer familiar with the case emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: “The allegations are serious. We are following due process and ensuring that all evidence is preserved.”
The Status of the Investigation
The Faridabad police have launched a comprehensive multi-pronged investigation to corroborate the victim’s testimony. Senior officers confirmed that specialized teams are currently working to secure a “paper trail” of the events leading up to and following the incident.
Key areas of the ongoing investigation include:
- Forensic & Electronic Evidence: Police are in the process of securing CCTV footage from the Surajkund hotel to verify the presence and movements of the accused and the victim.
- Digital Logs: Investigators are reviewing call records, messages, and travel details to establish the timeline of communication between the coach and the athlete.
- Witness Statements: Statements from hotel staff, tournament officials, and other athletes who may have been present at the venue are being recorded to build a contextual map of the coach’s behavior.
The police have confirmed that the accused coach will be brought in for questioning as part of the formal inquiry.
Broader Implications for Athlete Safety
This case highlights a recurring and troubling theme within the Indian sports ecosystem: the power imbalance between coaches and student-athletes. While organizations like the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have implemented “Safe Play” guidelines and internal complaints committees, the fear of career-ending retaliation often prevents victims from speaking out immediately.
As the investigation in Faridabad continues, the shooting fraternity and sports advocates are calling for stricter vetting processes for coaches and more robust support systems for minors traveling for competitions. The outcome of this case is expected to be a significant litmus test for the implementation of the POCSO Act within the sporting framework.
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