Bengaluru shocker: Coach arrested for sexually harassing 17-year-old boxer

Bengaluru: A 17-year-old first year PUC student undergoing boxing training through a club in Kanteerava stadium was allegedly sexually harassed by her coach for the last few months. Following the complaint filed by the girl’s mother Sampangiramanagar police have arrested the accused identified as Ramachandra 50, a native of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

The girl’s mother from east Bengaluru in her complaint told police that the coach sexually harassed her daughter and behaved inappropriately over the five to six months.

The girl has been undergoing training at the club for nearly 10 years. The coach Ramachandra, who joined the club four years ago has been misbehaving with girl for the past four years and that the harassment had intensified during the last five to six months.

The mother had complained about the misconduct to the concerned committee. Mother stated that on May 17, during a boxing championship competition in Chennai, the coach allegedly called the girl to his private room separately and behaved inappropriately with her despite her resistance, he touched her private parts and kissed her. Similar incidents were also alleged to have taken place earlier during training sessions in Bengaluru.

The family stated that the victim remained silent without bringing the harassment to their notice due to fear and alleged threats by the coach. A senior officer said a case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and BNS section 351 (criminal intimidation). Ramachandra has been remanded in judicial custody and lodged in Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara.