The National Anti-Doping Agency suspended Bajrang Punia for four years Tuesday after his refusal to furnish his sample for dope test on March 10, which coincides with selection trials of national teams.
The wrestler was initially suspended on April 23 by NADA on account of this very offense to which he could add four years following suspension, in its notification by World Governing body UWW also added to that end.
Bajrang had appealed against the provisional suspension and NADA's Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) had revoked it on May 31 till NADA issues the notice of charge.
Then, NADA on June 23 served the notice to the wrestler.
Bajrang, who, along with fellow wrestler Vinesh Phogat, joined Congress and was given charge of All India Kisan Congress, had challenged the charge on July 11 in a written submission following which hearings were held on September 20 and October 4.
"The Panel holds that the Athlete is liable for sanctions under Article 10.3.1 and liable for ineligibility for a period of 4 years," the ADDP said in its order.
The suspension means that Bajrang will not be able to return to competitive wrestling and apply for a coaching job abroad, if he aspires to.
"In the present case, since the Athlete had been provisionally suspended, the Panel accordingly holds that the Athlete's period of his ineligibility for the period of 4 years shall commence from the date on which the notification was sent, i.e., 23.04.2024.".
"Needless to say that on account of the lifting of the provisional suspension for the period from 31.05.2024 to 21.06.2024 shall not be credited into the total period of ineligibility of four years." Bajrang has maintained since the beginning that he was given extremely prejudicial and unfair treatment with respect to doping control because of his involvement in the protest against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
Bajrang also maintained that he never refused to give sample but only demanded to know NADA’s response to his email where he sought answer why expired kits were sent to take his samples in December 2023.
NADA also explained the reason for its action, saying that the Chaperone/DCO had duly approached him and informed that he was required to provide a urine sample for dope analysis purposes.
Bajrang said "it was not an outright refusal per se.". The athlete was always ready to give his sample only if he first got a response from NADA regarding the use of expired kits. However, NADA said that "the outright refusal by the athlete to provide urine sample for the dope test was intentional and deliberate" and that "Athlete has demonstrated utter disregard towards his duties and responsibilities as per Articles 20.1 & 20.2 of the Anti Doping Rules, 2021.
The athlete, Bajrang in his written submission said that conduct of NADA in two earlier occasions had created mistrust in the athlete's mind, especially in light of NADA not doing anything to acknowledge or respond to their callous approach towards the doping control process in both such instances, not taking responsibility for their act involving dispersal of duties that the athlete was morally left to make a stand in resorting as a senior athlete and holds a voice in sporting community.
Read also| BGT 2024-25: Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best in the world, says Pat Cummins
