New Delhi: The National Anti-Doping Agency on Sunday suspended Bajrang Punia for the second time, three weeks after its Anti-Disciplinary Doping Panel (ADDP) revoked his suspension on the grounds that NADA had not issued a "notice of charge" to the wrestler.
NADA had suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medalist wrestler on April 23 for refusing to give his urine sample for an anti-doping test during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10. The sport's global governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW), had also suspended him.
Bajrang appealed the provisional suspension and the ADDP revoked it on May 31 until NADA issues the charge notice.
Going into action, NADA on Sunday delivered the notice to the fighter.
"This serves as formal notification that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the 2021 National Anti-Doping Rules and he is now provisionally suspended," NADA's communication to Bajrang read.
Bajrang has until July 11 to request a hearing or accept the position.
The elite fighter has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he wanted to know why they sent him expired kits to take samples in December 2023.
Bajrang's lawyer Vidhushpat Singhania said they will challenge the suspension.
"Yes, we will have to file a response," Singhania said.
NADA also explained the reason for his action.
“The companion/DCO had duly approached you and informed you that he was required to provide a urine sample for drug testing purposes.
"Even after several requests made by the DCO, you refused to provide your urine sample on the grounds that you would not provide it unless NADA responded to your email regarding the issue of expired kits, which were used by the DCO in question who had come to collect the athlete's sample for the anti-doping control about two months ago.
"Following his refusal to undergo sample collection, the DCO of NADA also explained to him in detail its consequences and results according to the NADR, 2021.
“Despite all efforts made by the DCO, you refused to appear for sample collection.”
NADA made it clear that if the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) is confirmed, it will seek "disqualification of the results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, the commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes". ".
NADA may, at its discretion, also choose to recover from Bajrang the financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine as provided in the NADR, 2021.
NADA had suspended the Tokyo Games bronze medalist wrestler on April 23 for refusing to give his urine sample for an anti-doping test during the selection trials held in Sonepat on March 10. The sport's global governing body, United Wrestling World (UWW), had also suspended him.
Bajrang appealed the provisional suspension and the ADDP revoked it on May 31 until NADA issues the charge notice.
Going into action, NADA on Sunday delivered the notice to the fighter.
"This serves as formal notification that he is being charged with violating Article 2.3 of the 2021 National Anti-Doping Rules and he is now provisionally suspended," NADA's communication to Bajrang read.
Bajrang has until July 11 to request a hearing or accept the position.
The elite fighter has maintained that he never refused to give a sample but only demanded to know NADA's response to his email where he wanted to know why they sent him expired kits to take samples in December 2023.
Bajrang's lawyer Vidhushpat Singhania said they will challenge the suspension.
"Yes, we will have to file a response," Singhania said.
NADA also explained the reason for his action.
“The companion/DCO had duly approached you and informed you that he was required to provide a urine sample for drug testing purposes.
"Even after several requests made by the DCO, you refused to provide your urine sample on the grounds that you would not provide it unless NADA responded to your email regarding the issue of expired kits, which were used by the DCO in question who had come to collect the athlete's sample for the anti-doping control about two months ago.
"Following his refusal to undergo sample collection, the DCO of NADA also explained to him in detail its consequences and results according to the NADR, 2021.
“Despite all efforts made by the DCO, you refused to appear for sample collection.”
NADA made it clear that if the anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) is confirmed, it will seek "disqualification of the results in the event during which the ADRV occurred, the commission of the ADRV with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes". ".
NADA may, at its discretion, also choose to recover from Bajrang the financial costs associated with the ADRV or impose a fine as provided in the NADR, 2021.
