Respite for Bajrang Punia, NADA’s provisional suspense revoked

Noting that it was ‘premature’ to get into the merits of the case, the Anti Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADAP) revoked the provisional suspension imposed on Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Bajrang Punia for alleged rule violation.

In its order dated May 31, the ADAP said the reason for quashing the temporary ban was that the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) had not yet formally charged Bajrang for the anti-doping rule violation that allegedly took place in March this year.

A three-member panel said its in written order: “This Hearing Panel is of the opinion that at this stage when Notice of Charge is yet to be issued to the Athlete and without going into the merits of the submissions / explanations / justifications given by the Athlete for refusing to give the sample and the counter submissions of the Ld. Counsel appearing for the NADA, the provision suspension of the Athlete is revoked until the NADA decides to issue Notice of Charge formally charging the Athlete for violation of Anti Doping Rules, 2021.”

It added that if the NADA decided to issue a Notice of Charge to Bajrang, ‘the matter be expeditiously listed before the Hearing Panel for final hearing.’

The country’s anti-doping watchdog had earlier this year provisionally suspended Bajrang, accusing him of refusing to provide his urine sample for dope testing during the team selection trials in March.

Bajrang, represented by lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, had a two-pronged defence. He first argued cited an instance from December last year when a Doping Control Officer (DCO) visited him for sample collection with expired kits.

A clip posted by Olympic medal-winner Bajrang Punia on social media had him claiming that the doping kits were expired. (Screengrabs via Bajrang Punia X)

Bajrang further told the panel that ‘he was being targeted for his active participation in the agitation led by the co-wrestlers against their harassment’ and hence was ‘justified in refusing to give a sample for dope test as he was expecting false implications’.

Singhania, on behalf of the wrestler, also argued that the refusal wasn’t intentional as the DCO approached him for a sample while the bronze medal match was still left. “He asserted that… the Athlete should have been approached after his bout for the bronze medal was over but the DCO/chaperone just left without waiting for the last bout to get over,” the order read, citing Bajrang’s defence.

The lawyers appearing for NADA claimed Bajrang did not compete in the bronze medal match and hence his explanation was ‘unreasonable’, adding that his name was on the list of athletes who were to be tested that day.

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However, the panel noted that since NADA hadn’t formally charged Bajrang with any potential violation, it was ‘premature to go into the merits and demerits of the submissions made by both parties.’

However, even though his provisional suspension is lifted for the time being, Bajrang will not be competing at next month’s Paris Olympics as no Indian wrestler managed to get a quota in the 65 kg weight category, where he competes.

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