POCSO court sentences archery coach Kuldeep Vedwan to 5 years for assaulting minor player
Synopsis
A fast-track POCSO court has convicted national archery coach Kuldeep Vedwan of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old archer during 2023 youth selection trials in Sonipat — sentencing him to five years in prison. The case exposes a pattern of predatory behaviour by coaches who leverage career promises to silence young athletes.
Key Takeaways
Kuldeep Vedwan , national archery coach and resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh , was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment under the POCSO Act .
A fine of ₹15,000 was also imposed by Additional Sessions Judge Narendra Singh .
The guilty verdict was delivered on 15 May ; sentencing followed on Wednesday, 21 May 2025 .
The assault allegedly occurred on 7 April 2023 in a hotel in Sonipat during Youth Archery Championship selection trials at a SAI centre.
The victim was 17 years old at the time and disclosed the incident to her family only after her selection for the Asia Cup in Singapore .
A fast-track special Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Sonipat, Haryana, has sentenced national archery coach Kuldeep Vedwan to five years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually harassing a minor national-level archer during a youth championship in 2023. The court also imposed a fine of ₹15,000 on the convicted coach.
Conviction and Sentencing
Additional Sessions Judge Narendra Singh pronounced the sentence on Wednesday, following the court's guilty verdict delivered on 15 May. Vedwan was taken into custody immediately after the conviction. The case was originally registered in August 2023 at a police station in Sonipat district.
What the Prosecution Established
According to the prosecution, Vedwan — a resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh — allegedly attempted to sexually assault the junior player at a Youth Archery Championship held at a Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Sonipat. The victim, who was 17 years old at the time, had travelled to Sonipat to participate in selection trials and was staying at a hotel for the duration of the event.
The Incident as Recorded
On 7 April 2023, Vedwan allegedly entered the victim's hotel room, made obscene advances, and attempted to force himself on her. The victim struggled for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before managing to flee to another player's room. According to investigators, Vedwan subsequently apologised to her, reportedly telling her the incident 'could ruin his career and life.' He also allegedly promised to help her become a prominent player if she stayed in his room.
The complainant had been training at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra Stadium, where Vedwan's foundation was involved in coaching operations. She disclosed the incident to her family only after securing selection for the Asia Cup in Singapore.
Significance of the Verdict
The conviction by a fast-track POCSO court underscores the judiciary's intent to expedite justice in cases involving child sexual offences, particularly within institutional settings such as sports academies. This case highlights the vulnerability of young athletes who travel for selection trials and are often dependent on coaches for career advancement — a dynamic that investigators say Vedwan allegedly exploited. Notably, the case took less than two years from registration to sentencing, reflecting the fast-track mechanism's effectiveness.
What Happens Next
Vedwan remains in custody following the sentencing. He retains the right to appeal the conviction before a higher court. The case is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of safeguarding protocols at SAI centres and sports federations across India.
Point of View
Documented pattern of abuse within Indian sports coaching structures, where athletes' career trajectories are controlled by the very figures who pose a threat to them. The victim's silence until after her Asia Cup selection is telling: young athletes routinely weigh speaking out against the risk of being sidelined. Fast-track POCSO courts are delivering verdicts, but the harder institutional question — why SAI-affiliated coaching environments lack mandatory safeguarding audits — remains unanswered. Until sports bodies embed independent reporting mechanisms and third-party oversight, the power asymmetry between coach and athlete will continue to enable abuse.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kuldeep Vedwan and what was he convicted of?
Kuldeep Vedwan is a national archery coach and resident of Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. He was convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a 17-year-old national-level archer during Youth Archery Championship selection trials in Sonipat in April 2023.
What sentence did the POCSO court hand down?
The fast-track special POCSO court sentenced Vedwan to five years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹15,000. Additional Sessions Judge Narendra Singh pronounced the sentence on 21 May 2025, following a guilty verdict on 15 May.
Where and when did the alleged assault take place?
The alleged assault occurred on 7 April 2023 at a hotel in Sonipat, Haryana, where the victim was staying during selection trials held at a Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre. The case was formally registered at a Sonipat district police station in August 2023.
Why did the victim delay reporting the incident?
According to reports, the victim disclosed the incident to her family only after securing selection for the Asia Cup in Singapore. Investigators noted that Vedwan had allegedly asked her to stay silent, warning that the incident 'could ruin his career and life' and promising to advance her sporting career.
What does this case mean for athlete safety in Indian sports?
The conviction highlights systemic vulnerabilities for young athletes at residential training and selection camps, where dependence on coaches for career advancement can suppress reporting of abuse. The case is expected to prompt calls for stronger safeguarding protocols at SAI centres and sports federations across India.
