Pune: A national-level shooter assaulted an Olympian, against whom she had filed a complaint of rape earlier this year in Delhi, on Friday morning, while he was participating at the shooting nationals at Balewadi in Pune.
The Olympian, identified as Sanjiv Rajput , fled the stadium after the assault by the shooter, and did not participate in the finals scheduled later in the day.
The victim has now filed a fresh complaint against Rajput at the Hinjewadi police station. The scuffle between the two shooters led to an hour-long chaos at the shooting range, where the 60th National Shooting Championship Competition is being held. The local police had to be called in, but Rajput managed to slip out in the melee and later went untraceable and switched off his phone. He missed his 10m Air Rifle final scheduled for 10.30 am. Rajput, an Arjuna awardee, was booked on rape charges following a complaint by victim at Delhi’s Chanakyapuri police station on December 4. The two were in a relationship and Rajput had promised to marry her, according to the FIR. He, however, reneged on the promise.
The victim is in Pune to participate in the Air 10m, prone and three position events. She is also coaching a few junior shooters.
Eye-witnesses said the victim lunged at Rajput as soon as he entered the venue. “The lady went charging at him. People standing nearby couldn’t understand what was going on. Rajput left the venue just as the police arrived,” said an eyewitness, who didn’t wish to be named. There were contrasting versions of the events as well, with some saying that it was the international shooter who taunted the victim, following which she reacted. Senior Police Inspector Arun Vaykar said a non-cognisable complaint has been registered against Rajput.
Rajput, who quit Indian Navy in 2014, joined Sports Authority of India in August same year as a coach. He used to coach the victim off and on at the Delhi shooting ranges.
Officials at the venue said they were stunned by the fracas and saddened by the fact that an Olympian could not participate in the event. None of them were, however, willing to say anything on record.
Bureau Report
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