NADA suspends Bajrang Punia, wrestler’s lawyer, to respond to doping agency

Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia and the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) are at loggerheads. The doping agency suspended the Indian wrestler for not giving his urine sample for a dope test in March this year, while the wrestler alleged that the reason for him not giving a sample was due to the use of expired dope test kits.

The NADA officials approached wrestlers, including Bajrang, for their samples during the selection trials (for the Paris Olympics qualifiers) in Sonipat on March 10. However, Bajrang did not provide his urine sample, as he alleged that the officials bought an outdated kit to collect his sample.

However, the NADA, on April 23, sent Bajrang a notice informing him that he was provisionally suspended from participating in any tournaments. “With subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia has been immediately provisionally suspended from participation in any competition or activity prior to the final decision reached at a hearing in this matter. You have the opportunity to request (a) Provisional Hearing, on a timely basis after the imposition of the Provisional Suspension; or (b) an expedited hearing in accordance with Article 8 of the NADR 2021 on a timely basis after the imposition of the provisional provision. Decisions in relation to Provisional Suspension may be appealed in accordance with article 13.2 or the NADR 2021. In addition to the rights mentioned above, you have the opportunity to provide an explanation to NADA India by 07/5/2024,” a statement from the NADA to Bajrang Punia read.

Bajrang soon took to social media to explain his stand and said he has engaged his lawyer to reply to the NADA. “I want to clarify a report about my dope test. I never refused to give my sample, I requested them for a response about the expired kit which they had sent to collect my sample. I wanted to know what action was taken? I told them to please give me a reply and take my sample. My lawyer Vidhusphat Singhania, will reply to this notice soon,” the wrestler wrote on ‘X’, formerly Twitter.

India has not won a Paris Olympics 2024 quota in the men’s freestyle 65 kg weight class, in which Bajrang competes.

If Sujeet Kalkal manages to earn one quota place in the Olympic qualifiers in Istanbul this month, then the suspension may jeopardise Bajrang’s chances of challenging the quota place winner in the final trials next month.