National Shooting Coach Accused of Sexual Assault: Shocking Allegations Surface

Ankush Bhardwaj, a national shooting coach, has been accused of sexual assault against a minor, leading to widespread shock in the shooting community. The allegations surfaced after a complaint was filed regarding an incident that allegedly occurred during a national competition in New Delhi. Bhardwaj, who is married to Olympian shooter Anjum Moudgil, has not yet been arrested, but the local community is reeling from the news. As investigations continue, the implications of these serious charges are being closely monitored. Read on for more details about this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 9, 2026, 11:25 IST

Serious Allegations Against National Shooting Coach

Chandigarh-Mohali has gained national attention following the booking of national shooting coach Ankush Bhardwaj by the Haryana Police. He faces charges under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in Faridabad.

Bhardwaj resides in a rented apartment at Mohali’s Sector 99 One Rise Society and is married to Anjum Moudgil, an Olympian shooter well-known in the local shooting community.

The alleged victim is a minor who studies at a prominent college in Chandigarh, having gained admission through a centralized process.

Rumors circulated throughout the day regarding Bhardwaj's arrest from his residence in Sector 99. However, as of the report's filing, no arrest had occurred. Residents of the society reported that Bhardwaj and his family were absent on Thursday.

The local shooting community expressed shock upon hearing the allegations against Bhardwaj.

In addition to being a national shooting coach, he is affiliated with the Salvo Shooting Academy. Last May, he and his wife launched a wellness center and rehabilitation club in Mohali.

Bhardwaj has trained shooters across various locations, including Chandigarh and Mohali, and many in the community recall positive experiences working with him.

A shooting coach remarked, 'This is truly shocking. I’m unsure of the details, but it’s a complete surprise. Previously, there were no complaints against him, and the couple is known for their kindness.'

Another unnamed coach added, 'He has trained numerous young athletes in Chandigarh and Mohali; this news is incredibly unsettling.' Residents echoed similar sentiments, stating, 'There was no inappropriate behavior from him during his time here.'

Bhardwaj, recognized as a national pistol coach by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), was part of a select group of 13 experts responsible for training India's top shooting talents.

His role involved mentoring young shooters at major events. He has been accused of sexual assault by a 17-year-old national shooter from Noida, who has also earned medals in national competitions. Her mother has claimed that another female shooter faced similar misconduct, although these allegations are still under investigation.

According to the FIR, the alleged incident occurred at a well-known hotel in New Delhi during the National Level Shooting Competition at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range.

The complaint alleges that Bhardwaj assaulted the young shooter in a hotel room, subsequently instructing her to draft an analysis of the tournament first at the venue and then in the hotel lobby, under the guise of assessing her performance.

It is further claimed that he threatened to damage her career and harm her family if she disclosed the incident to anyone, before leaving her at the parking lot.

The incident reportedly took place on the afternoon of December 16, and after the victim confided in her family recently, an official complaint was filed with the police.