Two weeks back Rajasthan Rifle Association hit headlines after one of its trainees Divyansh Singh Panwar had won gold medal in Asian Games. Now again it is in news but for all wrong reasons.
The Rajasthan Rifle Association (RRA) coach, Shashikant Sharma, has been booked following allegations of sexual assault, including rape, made by five young female rifle shooters.
Jaipur police has filed an FIR against him at Malviya Nagar police station. SHO Poonam Kumari, leading the investigation, said that the coach has been charged with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act as one of the victims is minor.
Sexual ordeal in Italy
The complaint alleges that Sharma raped two players and molested three others during the Green Cup tournament in Italy, where he pressured them to share rooms.
According to complainants, when there were going to Brasilia in Italy, Sharma forced to sit on the backseat and misbehaved with them. When they complained about it on their return to India, he threatened to take back the complaints. He threatens to defame the girls in front of their families.
Took young shooter to a flat
There is allegation that Sharma sexually exploited one of the players giving her assurances of berth in Olympic, national medal and a government job. He would take her to a flat in Jagatpura, would make her drink alcohol, show her blue film and would repeatedly rape her. After some time, the girl quit the sport due to depression.
Additionally, the victims revealed that Sharma also inappropriately touched them and coerced them into sharing rooms, after he threatened them for interfering with their scores. Sharma handles the score portal of the association.
As per the complainant, Sharma used gain trust of girls and their parents by addressing them as beta. But once their started trusting him, Sharma would pressurise them to do objectionable acts.
Initially, the victims reported the harassment to the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Committee of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and the Rajasthan Rifle Association, but no action was taken, leading them to involve the police.
The ongoing inquiry by the Malviya Nagar police includes recording statements from 164 shooters, and following these statements, an arrest of coach Shashikant Sharma is expected.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
