NADA suspends Bajrang Punia again, gives time to respond till July 11

On Sunday, June 23, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) suspended ace Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia for the second time. Notably, three weeks earlier, the Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) had revoked the wrestler’s suspension, citing that NADA had not issued a formal "notice of charge".

On April 23, NADA first suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medallist for not providing a urine sample during the selection trials in Sonepat on March 10. This decision was supported by the United World Wrestling.

Then, Bajrang Punia appealed against the provisional suspension. NADA’s Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) was quick to revoke it on May 31 before NADA issued the notice of charge.

According to a report published on PTI, NADA, on Sunday, served the notice to the wrestler, who has time till July 11 to request a hearing or accept the charge.

“This serves as a formal notice that you are being charged with the violation of Article 2.3 of the National Anti-Doping Rules, 2021 and now you are provisionally suspended,” the formal notice from NADA read.

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Bajrang Punia maintains that he never refused to give a urine sample

Punia continues to maintain that he never refused to give the urine sample. However, he only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he asked for answers on why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December last year.

His lawyer, Vidhushpat Singhania, told PTI they will challenge the suspension.

“Yes, we will have to file a reply,” Singhania said.

Meanwhile, NADA also explained the reason for its action:

“Chaperone/DCO had duly approached you and informed you that you were required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.”

“Even after several requests made by the DCO, you had refused to provide your urine sample on the ground that you would not provide the sample unless NADA replies to your email regarding the issue of expired kits, which were used by the concerned DCO who had come to collect the sample of the athlete for the dope test about two months ago.

“Following your refusal to submit to sample collection, the DCO of NADA had also explained to you in detail, about its consequences and outcomes under the NADR, 2021.

“Despite all the efforts made by the DCO, you had refused to submit for the sample collection.” NADA made it clear that Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld.

Additionally, NADA will also seek disqualification of Bajrang Punia's results during which the violation occurred, forfeiting all medals, points, and prizes during the period.

Furthermore, NADA also hinted that they might recover costs associated with the ADRV from Bajrang Punia and impose a fine, as per the National Anti-Doping Rules, NADR, 2021.