India’s national shooting coach, Ankush Bhardwaj, has been suspended following sexual assault allegations made by a 17-year-old national-level female shooter.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) removed Bhardwaj from all official duties immediately after the allegations surfaced. The federation said the decision was taken due to the serious nature of the charges and to ensure an impartial investigation.
According to the complaint, the alleged incident took place at a hotel in Surajkund, Faridabad, where the participants were staying during the National Shooting Championship.
Police confirmed that the championship events were being held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi.
After a formal complaint was filed by the athlete’s family, Haryana Police registered a case against the Bhardwaj and began an investigation.
In its official statement, the NRAI said the national shooting coach would remain suspended until the investigation is completed so that the inquiry can proceed without any influence.
Ankush Bhardwaj is a resident of Ambala, Haryana. He began his shooting career in 2005 after participating in a National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp. Before the allegations, he was serving as a national-level pistol shooting coach.
He also runs the Salvo Shooting Range in Mohali, Punjab, where selected shooters receive private training.
Bhardwaj is married to Anjum Moudgil, a well-known Indian shooter who has represented the country at the Olympics twice.
The mother of the 17-year-old athlete has further alleged that another female shooter may have faced similar behaviour from Bhardwaj. Authorities said this claim is also being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
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