Fighter Bajrang Punia receives indefinite suspension by anti-doping body: report

The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has suspended fighter Bajrang Punia indefinitely, a move that could jeopardize his bid to compete in the Paris Olympics, which are scheduled to take place later this year. According to sources, Punia did not provide his urine sample for the selection tests in Sonepat on March 10, which prompted NADA to issue the order suspending him from participating in any future events. “Subject to paragraph 4:1:2 below and in accordance with article 7.4 of the NADR 2021, Bajrang Punia was immediately provisionally suspended from participating in any competition or activity prior to the final decision being made at a hearing on this matter,” read a official statement from NADA dated April 23.

Punia, along with a lineup of other prominent wrestlers including Olympians Sakshi Malik and Vinesh; was at the forefront of former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment.

Following his suspension due to the allegations, Punia, who won the country a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, will likely be barred from participating in the selection tests scheduled for the end of this month. No Indian has yet won an Olympic quota in the 65kg category.

Sujeet Kalkal will represent India in the World Qualifiers, which will begin in Istanbul on May 9.

The suspension notice was addressed to the now-defunct ad hoc committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), as opposed to the federation that is recognized by United World Wrestling (UWW).

Punia, who a few months earlier released a video claiming to have expired drug collection kits, ignored the drug control officer’s directive, claiming that NADA officials were yet to respond to his concerns.

According to the drug collection agent’s report, he left even though he had been informed that his refusal would result in a warning for anti-doping rule violations.

“Punia, surrounded by his supporters, continually repeated his statement and immediately left the scene refusing to provide a drug sample,” the DCO said in his report.

Punia was asked to provide written justification by May 7 for his refusal to provide supporting documentation and a urine sample.

“If you accept the consequences, the case will be resolved without further disciplinary proceedings, subject to the right of appeal. If you disagree, the matter will be referred for adjudication to the anti-doping disciplinary panel,” the letter stated.

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