Bengaluru: A boxing coach has been arrested in Bengaluru after a 17-year-old trainee accused him of repeated harassment and inappropriate behaviour during training sessions linked to a boxing club operating at Kanteerava Stadium.
The accused, identified as 50-year-old Ramachandra, was arrested by the Sampangiramanagar Police Station following a complaint filed by the teenager’s mother.
According to reports, the survivor is a first-year PUC student who has been undergoing boxing training through the club for nearly 10 years. Police said the accused, a native of Tamil Nadu, had joined the club around four years ago.
Authorities have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Mother alleges repeated misconduct
The girl’s mother alleged that the coach had been behaving inappropriately with her daughter for several years and that the incidents intensified during the past five to six months.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly harassed the teenager during training activities and while attending boxing-related events.
The mother reportedly first approached the concerned sports committee before later filing a police complaint.
Police sources stated that the allegations involve repeated inappropriate conduct towards the minor trainee.
Incident during Chennai tournament mentioned
One of the incidents highlighted in the complaint allegedly took place during a boxing championship competition in Chennai on May 17.
According to the complaint, the coach allegedly called the girl separately to his room during the event and behaved inappropriately despite her objections.
The mother further alleged that similar incidents had taken place earlier during training sessions in Bengaluru.
Officials have not disclosed the identity of the survivor in compliance with laws protecting minors in sexual offence cases.
Survivor allegedly stayed silent due to fear
According to police officials quoted in reports, the teenager allegedly did not inform her family earlier because she feared the coach and was allegedly threatened by him.
The complaint stated that the girl remained silent for months before eventually sharing details of the alleged harassment with her mother.
Following the complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested the accused coach.
A senior officer confirmed that the case had been registered under the POCSO Act and BNS Section 351.
Accused remanded to judicial custody
After being produced before a court, Ramachandra was reportedly remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison.
Police are continuing the investigation and are expected to record statements from witnesses and examine additional evidence connected to the case.
The incident has raised concerns about athlete safety and the need for stronger protection mechanisms for minors within sports training environments.
Child rights activists and sports observers have also stressed the importance of safer reporting systems and stricter monitoring procedures in sports academies and coaching centres.
Conclusion
The arrest of the Bengaluru boxing coach under the POCSO Act has once again highlighted concerns regarding the safety of minors in sports institutions. With the accused currently in judicial custody, police are continuing their investigation while calls grow for stronger safeguards in training environments involving young athletes.