Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Dronacharya Awardee Booked Under POCSO Over Student’s Allegation
Police in Mumbai are investigating a gymnastics coach after a 16-year-old student made a complaint.
She said the coach sent her a WhatsApp message and asked her to come to the gymnasium.
She believed they might discuss gymnastics because she had trained with him for years.
The student said the coach was alone when she arrived.
She alleged that he held her and pulled her onto his lap.
She left and later told friends, a teacher and her family.
The family then went to the police, who registered a case under child-protection and criminal laws.
Police are checking cameras and messages while questioning the coach.
Vile Parle Police registered a POCSO and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita case against a gymnastics coach after a 16-year-old student complained.
The student alleged that the coach called her to a gymnasium after sending her a WhatsApp message.
She alleged that the coach held her hand, pulled her onto his lap and restrained her when she tried to leave.
The student reportedly told friends and a teacher, after which her family approached the police.
Police are examining gymnasium and nearby CCTV footage, the WhatsApp exchange and the coach’s account; reports differ on whether he is 45 or 48.
- Who
- A 16-year-old gymnastics student and a Dronacharya Award-recipient coach; Vile Parle Police are investigating.
- What
- The student alleged that the coach sexually harassed her at a gymnasium; police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions.
- When
- The alleged incident reportedly occurred on a Friday morning; the date is not consistently specified in the reports.
- Where
- At a gymnasium in Vile Parle, Mumbai.
- Why
- The student said she went there after the coach contacted her, believing he wanted to discuss gymnastics.
Student’s Allegations
Investigation Status
What happened at the gymnasium
Student’s Allegations
The student alleged that the coach held her hand, pulled her onto his lap and restrained her around the waist when she tried to leave.
Investigation Status
Police have registered the case and are examining CCTV footage and other evidence; the coach is being questioned, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Reason for the meeting
Student’s Allegations
The student reportedly said she went to the gymnasium because she believed the coach wanted to discuss gymnastics after contacting her.
Investigation Status
The coach’s account of why he contacted her or asked her to come to the gymnasium has not been reported.
- Location
- Vile Parle, Mumbai
- Complainant
- 16-year-old gymnastics student
- Accused
- Gymnastics coach and Dronacharya Award recipient
- Police station
- Vile Parle Police
- Applicable laws
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions
- Evidence being examined
- Gymnasium and surrounding CCTV footage, plus the WhatsApp conversation
- Reported age discrepancy
- One report describes the coach as 48, while another describes him as 45