International-level shooter alleges rape by coach in Delhi

An international-level Indian professional shooter has filed a case against her coach accusing him of drugging and raping her.

Police said an FIR was registered at the Chanakyapuri police station on Thursday against the shooter’s coach, who is an Arjuna Award winning Indian shooter himself.

The crime allegedly took place on the shooter’s birthday on November 12 inside government quarters where the player lives alone, police said.

The coach, who has represented India in a number of shooting world cup championships, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, has been absconding after the case was registered against him. His phone was found to be switched off when HT tried to contact him on Saturday. 

Deependra Pathak, spokesperson of the Delhi Police, confirmed that an FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc, with intent to commit an offence) of Indian Penal Code was registered on the basis of the woman’s complaint. 

The player in her complaint told the police that she was being trained by the coach for the past seven to eight months at Karni Singh shooting range located in south Delhi. During coaching, a source said, the two allegedly came close to each other and entered into a relationship. The coach then allegedly promised to marry her and their meetings increased, sometimes outside the shooting practice ground. 

Sources said that as the shooter stayed alone at Chanakyapuri, the coach frequently visited her and even stayed with her. The woman’s family members, however, were against the relationship, sources said. 

In the complaint, the woman alleged that on November 12, she had invited her coach for her birthday party. “During the party, the coach allegedly offered her a spiked soft drink which she consumed and became semi-conscious. The coach then allegedly forced himself on her,” said a police officer.

When the woman regained consciousness, she confronted her coach. The coach, however, pacified her and promised that they would get married soon. He later backtracked on his promise, said the police. 

The player then approached Chanakyapuri police and lodged a complaint against the coach. “Her medical examination was conducted at a government hospital and the FIR was registered. A local NGO has been roped in for her counselling,” the officer said.