Shotgun coach, two shooters in dock for ‘pulling’ prank on National Games medal winner

“The shooter has filed a complaint and an inquiry has been initiated by the directive of the NRAI against one coach and two other shooters. The concerned shooter will get full justice,” NRAI president Raninder Singh said.

‘Not mere prank’

Apart from Sodhi, skeet shooter Arjun Balraj Mehta, who represented Delhi at the National Games, and Captain Parampal Singh Guron, a member of the Indian national skeet team, are also in the dock for playing their part in this horseplay which didn’t go down well with the medal-winning shooter. Mehta made the clip, while Guron circulated it on social media.

“I don’t think it can be seen as a mere prank… it was done to publicly humiliate me purposely. Even before the medal ceremony these guys had already circulated the video. People in Delhi knew that such an incident had happened in Kerala. I could see them laughing and giggling as if they have done something great. I had to take this seriously because it is hurting my confidence and was humiliating,” the shooter told The Indian Express on condition of anonymity.

“Apart from being a junior coach, Sodhi is also a referee… this clearly is abuse of power and tantamounts to sexual assault.”

Online humiliation

In his complaint, the shooter wrote: “The circulation of this video and my humiliation has been a a tool of pleasure of many shooters including some NRAI officials. I have seen the clips of this video demeaning my worth as an international medallist and national record holder. Paramjit Singh Sodhi and Capt Parampal Singh Guron laughed on my face during the prize distribution ceremony while they enjoyed sharing the video with others.

I have dedicated myself to this sport to make our country proud and this NRAI official and international shooter, after I won at the National Games on the shooting range and in front of all present, hurt my basic self esteem.”

The letter went on to add: “I have faced immense humiliation nullifying my gold medal victory and it is an attack on my dignity and self respect. I fail to understand how Mr Sodhi is competent enough to be coach of Indian junior shotgun team after such an act against me. I don’t even wish to imagine how young female shooters of India would be treated by him. I seek justice and the strictest action at the earliest against Mr Paramjit Singh Sodhji, captain Parampal Singh Guron and Arjun Mehta.”