Pune: Coach Sentenced To Three Years For Molesting Minor At Balewadi Shooting Academy
Balewadi, 11th June 2025: A special court in Pune has sentenced a 28-year-old coach to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹7,000 for molesting a 12-year-old girl at a shooting training center in Balewadi. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge RN Hiwase after considering evidence, witness testimonies, and arguments from both sides.
The convicted accused has been identified as Rudragauda Chanveergauda Patil, a resident of Sai Chowk in Pashan and originally from Belgaum, Karnataka. If he fails to pay the fine, Patil will have to serve an additional two months in prison.
The incident occurred in May 2019 when the victim had enrolled at the shooting academy during her summer vacation. Her mother had sent her to the Balewadi-based center to pursue her interest in marksmanship. Between 14th May and 20th May 2019, Patil, who was the sports manager at the facility, lured the girl under the pretext of offering her tea, snacks, and cold drinks, and then behaved inappropriately with her.
The girl resisted his advances and later informed her family about the incident. Her mother promptly reported it to the senior authorities at the academy, who initially promised to take action but failed to follow through. Her mother then reported the incident to the higher authority of the academy via Email. Eventually, the victim’s grandmother filed a formal complaint at the Hinjawadi Police Station.
Following the FIR, Hinjawadi Police registered a case and initiated legal proceedings. Public prosecutor Premkumar Agarwal represented the government, while advocates Pushkar Patil and Mayur Dhatavkar argued on behalf of the complainant. Six witnesses were presented by the prosecution, with the testimony of the victim and senior officials from the training institute proving to be crucial.
The defense attempted to discredit the girl’s claims by alleging that she filed a false complaint in retaliation after being scolded by Patil for not handling the gun correctly. However, the court found the victim’s account credible and supported by substantial evidence, leading to the conviction.
