Ankush Bhardwaj, a prominent Indian shooting coach, faces allegations of sexually harassing a minor in Faridabad. The shooting coach accused sexual harassment case prompted the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to suspend him immediately.
According to NRAI secretary Rajiv Bhatia, “We suspended him on moral grounds. He must prove his innocence. Until the inquiry concludes, he will not coach any athlete.”
The FIR states that the incident occurred last month after a training session at the Karni Singh Range in Surajkund. The minor, who has trained under Bhardwaj since August 2025, informed her mother on January 1 after being persistently questioned. She said the experience left her traumatised.
Bhatia added that NRAI had recommended Bhardwaj for the 37-member post-Paris Olympics coaching team in 2024. Consequently, SAI appointed him as one of the coaches. He emphasised that the organisation will follow inquiry findings before taking further action.
Earlier, Bhardwaj, a former pistol shooter, received a doping ban in 2010 for using a beta-blocker. NRAI has issued a show-cause notice, and the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, authorities continue monitoring the situation closely.
