A case has been registered against a 48-year-old gymnastics coach, honored with the Dronacharya Award, on charges of molesting a 16-year-old student. Mumbai’s Parle Police have registered an FIR against the coach under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the student’s complaint.
According to the police, the student studies at a college in Mumbai and had been taking gymnastics training from the accused coach for several years. As per the complaint, the incident occurred on Friday morning.
Allegation of calling to the gymnasium by sending ‘Hi’ on WhatsApp
The student told the police that on Friday morning, she was studying at home. During this time, she received a WhatsApp message from the coach on her mobile, which only said ‘Hi’. The student also replied ‘Hi’ and informed her mother about it.
At her mother’s behest, the student asked the coach why he had messaged her. According to the complaint, the coach asked her where she was and to come meet him at the gymnasium if she was free. Having trained with the coach for several years, the student thought she was called for something related to gymnastics. After this, she reached the gymnasium.
Asked to close the door, accused of making her sit on his lap
According to the complaint, when she reached the gymnasium, the coach was alone there. The student alleges that the coach asked her to bring her slippers inside and to close the door from the inside. After this, a conversation about college and studies took place between the two.
The student alleged that during the conversation, the coach grabbed her left hand and pulled her onto his lap. According to the student, when she tried to get up, the coach grabbed her waist from behind and molested her.
Reached college and informed the teacher about the incident
According to the complaint, the student left from there and went straight to college. Seeing her distressed, her friends asked her about the incident. After this, she told her teacher the whole story.
The teacher informed the family about this. After this, the family took the student to the police and lodged a complaint.
Investigation of CCTV and WhatsApp Chat
Based on the complaint, Parle Police have registered an FIR against the accused coach under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the BNS. Police are investigating the footage from CCTV cameras installed in and around the gymnasium. WhatsApp conversations have also been made part of the investigation.
Police are interrogating the accused in the case. Further legal action will be taken after investigating the allegations.
