Parle-based gymnastics coach booked under POCSO act

At the gymnasium, the coach was alone. He allegedly asked the girl to bring his slippers inside and latch the door. He then allegedly asked her about her college and her studies, and then grabbed her left hand, pulling her back to make her sit on his lap

MUMBAI: A 48-year-old gymnastics coach, who was recently honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award, has been booked by the police for allegedly molesting a 16-year-old student of a Parle college on Friday. The girl, in her complaint, told the police that while she was studying at home in the morning, she received a WhatsApp message saying ‘Hi’ from the coach. She replied with a ‘Hi’ and told her mother about the interaction.

Parle-based gymnastics coach booked under POCSO act

The mother asked her daughter to check with the coach why he had messaged her. The coach then messaged, “Where are you? If you are free, come meet me at the gymnasium.” Assuming he had some work with her, the girl, who has been studying gymnastics for years, replied, “I am at home. I will come, Sir.”

At the gymnasium, the coach was alone. He allegedly asked the girl to bring his slippers inside and latch the door. He then allegedly asked her about her college and her studies, and then grabbed her left hand, pulling her back to make her sit on his lap. When she tried to get up, he allegedly wrapped his left arm tightly around her waist from behind and molested her.

The girl immediately stood up and left. She then went to her college, where her friends noticed that she was upset. The girl then revealed the incident to her teacher, after which her family approached the police.

The police have booked the coach under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences ( POCSO) act and are investigating.