Foreign cycling coach charged under POCSO after alleged rape of minor athlete in Patiala

Investigators have charged Maxat Ayazbayev, a 34-year-old foreign coach with the Indian cycling squad, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly raping a minor athlete at the National Centre of Excellence in Patiala. The alleged incident occurred on September 13 while the youngster was attending a high-performance camp. Following the survivor's complaint, an FIR was lodged on September 18, and a mandatory medico-legal examination was performed at Government Rajindra Hospital, with psychological and legal counseling provided.

Police have confiscated Ayazbayev's passport, issued a look-out circular at all international transit points, and created two special teams to track him, as he has been missing since the allegation surfaced. The coach's travel clearance for the Asian Games in Japan was revoked, and the Cycling Federation of India has suspended him pending an internal complaints committee inquiry. Raids are ongoing in Delhi and the National Capital Region to apprehend the suspect.