The Delhi High Court on Wednesday requested the National Anti-Doping Agency’s (NADA) response to a suit filed by wrestler Bajrang Punia contesting his ban. The senior lawyer for the athlete urged for immediate relief, noting the impending Senior World Wrestling Championships in Albania, but the court ruled no official application had been lodged. Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to the agency in response to Punia’s plea, who was one of the wrestlers at the forefront of last year’s Jantar Mantar protest demanding the arrest of then-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for alleged sexual harassment of seven female grapplers.
NADA’s lawyer stated that a disciplinary panel has been formed and is investigating the matter, adding that a final hearing is “about to happen”. Punia was placed on “provisional suspension” for the second time by NADA on June 21, and a formal “notice of charge” was issued, making him unfit to train or compete. The move came three weeks after an anti-doping panel overturned the wrestler’s previous suspension because NADA had not sent a “notice of charge” to him.
Punia was originally suspended by NADA on April 23 for refusing to provide a urine sample for a drug test at the March 10 selection trials in Sonipat. The sport’s worldwide regulatory organization, United Wrestling World (UWW), has also
“This is a great example of how to harass someone…. The world championship is right around the corner. I have to participate and practice. “They are ending my career,” senior counsel Rajiv Dutta said in court on behalf of the wrestler.
During the hearing, Justice Narula questioned Punia’s unwillingness to provide a sample for testing, saying, “How will they let you play if you don’t test?” “If you don’t take the test, how will they qualify you?” the court inquired. Punia’s attorney said that he has “not refused” to take the drug test, but has just wanted an explanation from the authorities about how the previous tests were supposed to be done.
Seeking to overturn NADA’s decision, Dutta stated, “The rule states that if I have a reason not to take the test, they must investigate it. There is no provision for interim suspension. Set aside the preliminary ban and allow me a hearing.” “I did not refuse. I didn’t reject it. The first issue was that the individual who arrived carried an outdated kit. They confessed it. That man’s been suspended. I asked for an explanation of what had transpired. In the second incident, those who arrived were not even authorized to do so,” the lawyer claimed.
The court, however, stated that it “cannot be the basis” for not taking the exam again. “This is a great example of how to harass someone…. The world championship is right around the corner. I have to participate and practice. “They are ending my career,” senior counsel Rajiv Dutta said in court on behalf of the wrestler.
During the hearing, Justice Narula questioned Punia’s unwillingness to provide a sample for testing, saying, “How will they let you play if you don’t test?” “If you don’t take the test, how will they qualify you?” the court inquired. Punia’s attorney said that he has “not refused” to take the drug test, but has just wanted an explanation from the authorities about how the previous tests were supposed to be done.
Seeking to overturn NADA’s decision, Dutta stated, “The rule states that if I have a reason not to take the test, they must investigate it. There is no provision for interim suspension. Set aside the preliminary ban and allow me a hearing.” “I did not refuse. I didn’t reject. The first issue was that the individual who arrived carried an outdated kit. They confessed it. That man’s been suspended. I asked for an explanation of what had transpired. In the second incident, those who arrived were not even authorized to do so,” the lawyer claimed.
The court, however, stated that it “cannot be the basis” for not taking the exam again. “That can’t be the premise, okay? Punia’s attorney stated that he is ready to take the exam on Wednesday.
“Let them take the sample today,” Dutta, who came with lawyer Neha Singh, stated. The lawyer for NADA stated that the authority “cannot take samples like this” since it follows a test-distribution strategy. The court stated orally that Punia might raise his concerns before the disciplinary panel and scheduled a hearing for October. According to NADA’s counsel, no player can refuse to take the drug test, and Punia is not being”targeted”.
There is a disciplinary tribunal in place.” We, as NADA, will never place any of our Olympian players, who will tomorrow get medals for their country, in a difficult position,” the lawyer stated.
“They claim he’s being targeted. This is incorrect. The last hearing is set to begin. Litigation will impede the process. We also want him to go play. “If we stop everyone, who will represent India?” she said. Dutta argued that the hearing before the panel could be place this week, and Punia should be heard. Punia said in his appeal, filed through lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, that NADA violated the testing norms and processes.