Bajrang filed an appeal against the temporary suspension, and on May 31, the Anti-Disciplinary Doping panel (ADDP) of NADA revoked it till the agency issued a notice of charge.
The National Anti-Doping Agency suspended Bajrang Punia for the second time on Sunday, three weeks after its Anti-Disciplinary Doping (ADDP) tribunal lifted his suspension on the grounds that NADA had not given a “notice of charge” to the wrestler. On April 23, NADA suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medalist wrestler for refusing to provide a urine sample for a drug test during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10. The sport’s worldwide governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW), has also suspended him.
Vidhushpat Singhania, Bajrang’s lawyer, told PTI that they will contest the suspension.
“Yes, we will have to file a response,” Singhania stated.
NADA also stated the cause for its move.
“The Chaperone/DCO had approached you and instructed you that you needed to produce a urine sample for drug analysis.
“Even after several requests from the DCO, you refused to provide your urine sample, stating that you would not provide the sample unless NADA responded to your email regarding the issue of expired kits, which were used by the concerned DCO who had come to collect the athlete’s sample for the dope test about two months ago.
“Following your refusal to consent to sample collection, the DCO of NADA informed you in full about the repercussions and outcomes under the NADR of 2021.
“Despite all the efforts made by the DCO, you had refused to submit for the sample collection.” NADA stated that if an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) is upheld, it will seek “disqualification of results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.” The NADA may, at its discretion, collect the financial costs associated with the ADRV from Bajrang or levy a punishment in accordance with the NADR, 2021.
